Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I wish to extend once again my sympathies and condolences to the families affected by the Stardust tragedy and all who have followed this issue down the years. The decision to carry out these inquests was made by the Attorney General in the last Government, Séamus Woulfe, who acceded to the request by the families that the matter should be reopened and that inquests should be held. I led that Government at the time and very much agreed with the decision he made. That was the first time in a very long time that a Government had responded to the request by families that it be done.

We are committed as a Government to ensuring that the Stardust inquest continues in a safe and suitable environment in 2022. This might be made more simple in the coming weeks because of the easing of the public health restrictions. There are plans to secure a new venue for the inquests to be continued by the Dublin coroner when the contract on the bespoke courtroom in the RDS expires in February. The matter is actively being worked on with the assistance of the Office of Public Works, OPW, and the Government intends that the situation will be resolved as soon as possible. To date, nine pre-inquest hearings have been completed and the tenth is expected to take place on 2 February.

The Stardust fire was a national tragedy that has left a particular legacy of pain for many people in north Dublin. I sympathise greatly with the families of the 48 young people tragically killed in the fire. As the Deputy will be aware, the conduct of inquests is independent and has to be independent of the Government. It is entirely a matter for the senior Dublin coroner, Dr. Myra Cullinane. Her independence in relation to such matters is set out in the Coroners Acts and the Government cannot interfere with her work. Dr. Cullinane has begun her work and nine pre-inquest hearings have been completed to date, the ninth having taken place on 19 January, and the tenth scheduled for 2 February. The Department of Justice has also developed a website for the inquest, assigned additional staff to the office of the Dublin coroner and facilitated the appointment of legal and expert guidance to support the coroner in her work.

During 2021, a bespoke courtroom was built in the RDS to facilitate the inquests. That contract will expire soon. We recognise that this is a very sensitive situation and want to assure the families that we are committed to ensuring a new venue is in place to permit the inquest to be continued by the coroner. Families can be assured that the matter is being actively worked on with the assistance of the OPW.

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