Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

I support Senator McHugh's comments. As I said on previous occasions, a debate on this issue would be helpful. I could return the compliment to the Senator on his advocacy of the Irish language. I have heard him contribute to debates in support of it on many occasions. It would be helpful if we could establish unanimity within the House on this issue. There is a case for Irish being recognised as an official language in European affairs.

On another issue, the Taoiseach was correct in his comment on the Dublin and Monaghan bombings when he said, time does not dim the requirement for answers. Anybody watching the misfortunate families on television would have seen that their grief is still palpable. They are looking to us for protection and representation. The suggestion that in some way we should keep the lid on this horrific issue lest we might offend our nearest neighbour, Britain, is not tenable because it is a sovereign Government, subject to the requirements of compliance with human rights and international law.