Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste. This is not just about political instincts, although political considerations are important. It is crucial that the Irish Government sends a very strong message internationally as to the seriousness with which we take the British Government's actions. There are also practical rationales. As the Tánaiste will know, six families of victims have already initiated their own legal actions and the understanding is that other victims' groups and other victims' families are considering doing likewise. The process and the ordeal for them is much more lengthy and turbulent than for a sovereign government to take a case. Therefore, in setting out a very clear signal that the Irish Government continues to stand with all victims and in order to relieve them of the cost and the trauma that would be involved in those cases, one can understand from their perspective why it is optimal that the Irish Government would pursue a case. I ask the Tánaiste to inform this House as soon as the information returns from the Attorney General and to initiate whatever further actions are going to follow from that as quickly as possible.

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