Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome this Bill. I will speak specifically to Part 8, which addresses many of the issues raised by the families of the victims and survivors of the Stardust fire. I commend the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, and her Department officials on their efforts and on bringing forward this legislation in response to some major concerns that were raised. I mention also my Sinn Féin colleague, Senator Boylan, who pushed for change on behalf of the families and has been a fantastic advocate for them over many years.

I hope this Bill removes all the remaining stumbling blocks for the families. I hope the inquest will be thorough, human rights compliant and will set the standard for how inquests will be conducted in the future. I hope, too, that it will deliver the answers to the questions the families and survivors have sought for more than 41 years. I know they are happy that this legislation is now progressing. It is not before time, given that they have been deeply frustrated in the past by delay after delay. While it is welcome that we have movement now, it must be said that the manner in which some previous Ministers for Justice treated this issue was unacceptable and insulting at times. There have been many unnecessary delays in getting this inquest off the ground. That has to be acknowledged by the Government.

This inquest will draw eyes from all around the world and it is important that we get it right. Again, I commend the Minister, Deputy McEntee, on taking the lead on this. I know the families of the victims and survivors are grateful. It is difficult for any of us to imagine the trauma and experience of those who suffered and were in the Stardust fire on that tragic night. Many people will have very vivid memories of that night and the days and weeks that followed it. It was a night that completely rocked our community and, to this day, it leaves an emotional scar on so many people. We had 48 young people lose their lives and hundreds of others injured. There is no doubt that this process will be emotionally draining for all involved, with many having to relive a night that is etched in their minds for all the wrong reasons.

I will speak briefly to sections 51 and 61. The new proposals will see a change in how a jury is selected for this inquest by disapplying section 43 of the Coroners Act 1962. It will make this inquest all the more valid because of the jury and the independence of its selection. The jury members will also have their income protected for the duration of the inquest, meaning those who are selected will not be put in a precarious financial position, which will give them the time to properly consider the evidence and verdict without the pressures of strict deadlines.

I hope this Bill passes without delay. Some relatives of the 48 young people who were killed that night have passed away in recent months and years. They have gone to their graves with no peace or closure. Justice for the families and survivors has been a long time coming. I hope this is the beginning of a process that will deliver answers for so many people.

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