Dáil debates

Wednesday, 12 April 2017

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions

Dublin-Monaghan Bombings

3:35 pm

Photo of Maureen O'SullivanMaureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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29. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of efforts being made in persuading the British Government to comply with the three all-party motions passed by Dáil Éireann regarding the Dublin and Monaghan bombings; his views on whether the delay of more than 40 years is unacceptable; and if there are implications due to Brexit negotiations. [18357/17]

Photo of Maureen O'SullivanMaureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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My question relates to the outstanding issues from the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, namely, the three all-party motions that were passed by the Dáil at various stages and the fact that the families of the victims will have been waiting 43 years next month, and if the Brexit negotiations are seen as a positive or negative in moving things forward.

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Dealing with long-outstanding issues relating to the legacy of the conflict in Northern Ireland is of primary importance to me, as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, as it is to the Government. A Programme for a Partnership Government highlights this priority, with specific reference to implementation of the all-party Dáil motions relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, as outlined by Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan. The all-party motion on the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings adopted in this House on 25 May last year has, like those adopted in 2008 and 2011, been conveyed to the British Government. The motions call on the British Government to allow access by an independent, international judicial figure to all original documents relating to those bombings.

The Government is committed to actively pursuing the implementation of the all-party Dáil motions, and has consistently raised the issue with the British Government. The Taoiseach has raised the matter with Prime Minister May, including at their meeting in Dublin on 30 January, emphasising the Government's continued support for the Dáil motions. I have also raised the matter on a number of occasions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire. In our discussions, I have advised him that the Dáil motions represent the consensus political view in Ireland that an independent, international judicial review of all the relevant documents is required to establish the full facts of the atrocities that occurred in Dublin and Monaghan. I have also underlined to the Secretary of State that the absence of a response from the British Government is of deep concern to the Government and the House. I emphasised the urgent need for a response from the British Government. The Secretary of State acknowledged the importance the Government and the Dáil attach to these cases and indicated that the British Government is open to considering how it could respond in a way which would adequately address the motions and be consistent with its obligations. The Government is actively pursuing this matter with the British Government, urging it to provide a satisfactory response to the motions that have been adopted by this House.

Photo of Maureen O'SullivanMaureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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We have had quite a few exchanges on the matter and on each occasion the Minister has told me that dealing with the legacy of the past is a major priority and that both he and the Taoiseach have raised the matter with the British Prime Minister and the Secretary of State, stressing its importance. In December, the Taoiseach assured us that he would pursue all possible avenues. As the Minister indicated, the three motions were conveyed to the British Government but nothing has been progressed in terms of the Irish request for an independent, international review of all the relevant documentation. The Barron report went a certain distance, as did the McEntee report, despite the absence of all the documentation. The reasons for the latter are, first, that the British Government did not co-operate in handing over documents - it is still not co-operating - and, second, no Irish Government has pursued this matter with the full vigour required. How close is the Minister to finding a formula that would allow the undisclosed documents to be made available to an international judge or similar person?

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I share the Deputy's concerns. It is a matter of regret to me that we have not made greater progress on this long-outstanding issue. I assure the Deputy that officials of the respective Governments are exploring possible ways forward that would be mutually acceptable. Exploratory discussions are under way and we will continue to actively engage with the British Government in order to seek a satisfactory response.

There have been a number of appalling cases from the Troubles in respect of which truth and justice have been secured only after decade-long campaigns by victims, families, survivors, civil society and Government. The Dublin-Monaghan campaign is now one of the longest such campaigns and that must make us all the more determined to continue to pursue the full truth, however long it takes. I assure Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan and the House that we are fully committed to doing that, as reflected in the programme for Government and our consistent action and engagement on the issue.

Photo of Maureen O'SullivanMaureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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It is difficult to accept that the British Government is still considering ways that "would adequately address the motions and be consistent with its obligations", which is the official jargon. My question is what about its obligations to the truth and justice for the victims and their families. Advising and being concerned have not brought the Justice for the Forgotten group any closer to justice. If the British Parliament had passed three motions calling on the Irish Government to release certain documents, I do not know whether the British Parliament would be waiting 43 years for their release. I ask that between now and 17 May the necessary vigour that is required for an international judge to be appointed be applied or even for the process to begin to suggest names that might be acceptable to both Governments and Justice for the Forgotten.

I have to acknowledge the group, Justice for the Forgotten, because they would have been forgotten but for their persistent efforts.

3:45 pm

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I acknowledge what the Deputy has said and share her view regarding the victims' groups and in particular Justice for the Forgotten. I have had an opportunity to meet with representatives of that group on a number of occasions.

I will continue to engage in discussions in Belfast with the Secretary of State and the political parties to ensure that we can achieve progress, not only on this case but also in regard to a number of other cases. We need to achieve progress on them in order that the new institutions can be established in Northern Ireland in such a way as to meet the needs of victims and survivors. They can also support the broader societal need for healing and reconciliation.

The Deputy mentioned the anniversary on 17 May and I assure her that I will raise the issue once again with the Secretary of State in advance of the forthcoming anniversary. I will have an opportunity to report to the House, including Deputy O'Sullivan, on the progress on this issue, which I accept is long overdue.