Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for raising the issues they have raised. With regard to the Stardust inquest, I met relatives at a recent event. The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation commissioned a memorial for all those who lost their lives in the Stardust inferno and tragedy. We had a meeting afterwards. The Government has provided resources and amended the free legal aid framework to facilitate the inquiry. The issue in relation to the empanelling of jurors is that existing legislation, including the Coroners Act, does not facilitate the payment of jurors at an inquest. The issue is that this will be a longer process. The relatives have told me it could take four to six months. Neither the Coroners Act 1962 nor the Juries Act 1976 covers this. The inquests were directed by the then Attorney General having regard to the provisions of the Acts. That said, I have spoken to the Minister for Justice and the Attorney General on this. I will ask them to see whether they can come up with an exceptional provision or an approach to deal with the Stardust inquiry to ensure jurors can be empanelled for the duration of the inquest. As soon as I have details of it and clarity on it, I will bring it back to the Deputies and to the House. Given that we have come this far it is important that we give as much closure as we possibly can, notwithstanding limitations to the coroner's inquest potentially. Nonetheless it is important to bring this to a satisfactory completion.

With regard to Deputy Barry's question I do not have timelines on the investigation. Ordinarily when investigations are pursued it is up to those who are investigating. I am not clear about what he has described as "a blue wall of silence". I will raise the issue with the Minister for Justice to see whether she has an indicative timeline on this. Again, we do not intervene in investigations. This has always been the case. On the other hand, I can see the need for families in very difficult situations such as these to have timelines for the conclusion and completion of the investigations. I do not have the details here in respect of where it is at right now but I will follow through and get an update on the current situation.

I am not familiar with the case that Deputy Murphy has raised. With regard to the level at which inquiries need to take place, whether internal or external, GSOC is there. The Deputy indicated the Garda is doing an internal inquiry at present. Is this the case?

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