Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to speak on this today. I salute the architects of the Good Friday Agreement and the peace that we now enjoy. I look forward to the New Decade, New Approach agreement. I happened to be in the residence of the British ambassador in Washington two years ago, on the day before St. Patrick's Day. The most senior civil servant in Northern Ireland at the time, whose name eludes me but I am sure the Minister knows him, had to take the stage instead of the First Minister or deputy First Minister, who were there, because they were not active or functioning. He was quite annoyed. He left his hair down because he was retiring. He really gave out that they did not get their act together and were not working together. I think of all the work done by the likes of the former Minister of State and Senator, Martin Mansergh, Fr. Alec Reid and many others, including the former Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, to get the peace we have and then we see the legacy issues that are not being dealt with.

Before we can really embrace the New Decade, New Approach agreement, we must deal with these legacy issues. If we take the Omagh bomb and Mr. Michael Gallagher and his family and the other families, it was a terrible atrocity. The former Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, promised to meet Mr. Gallagher, and said what he would do for him, but when he got into power he abandoned him like a hot potato. He promised he would get truth and justice with Fine Gael in government but it did not happen.

The former Garda John White died during the year. His mother was laid to rest only last week. She was broken-hearted after the way her son was treated. He made efforts to ensure the Omagh bomb was not delivered or planted. He was mistreated and sidelined by the Garda powers. He was made a scapegoat. We must deal with these legacy issues.

Recently, it was the anniversary of Aidan McAnespie. I did not know him but my wife's brothers and sisters worked with him in Monaghan and the treatment he received and testament he told them. Every other day he arrived in work late because of blackguarding, skulduggery and ill-treatment at the checkpoint in Aughnacloy. It was common knowledge they were going to do something serious to him and they murdered him.

There has been no sign of any meaningful investigation or inquiry into these issues. Where are the new decade, new visions and new approach? We must sort out the legacy issues and we must be meaningful, honest and upfront. We can only do so much down here but we must not mislead families in the North who want justice or play politics with them and then abandon them. I salute Michael Gallagher and what he does every year on the commemoration committee. He continues to go through trauma. We must be honest with ourselves and be fair and reasonable to the people who expect us to help them.

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