Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

In the past two weeks, Geraldine Finucane travelled to England seeking justice for her murdered husband, the Northern Ireland solicitor Pat Finucane. Judge Cory examined this case and found evidence that the RUC Special Branch, MI5 and the British Army force research unit all colluded in his murder. The Finucane family were given an undertaking that there would be a full and transparent inquiry, but this is now to change. Legislation being brought through Parliament will place restrictions on that inquiry to the extent that evidence cannot be published and public involvement will also be limited.

It is particularly important that we support the Finucane family at this time. It makes one feel particularly uneasy when such action is taken in consort with the non-co-operation of the British Government with regard to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. It is no less reprehensible coming from a sovereign government.

Senators O'Toole, O'Meara and Mansergh have all struck the right note today about moving forward. Senator O'Toole said a time should come when we as parliamentarians should get involved in this discussion and try to find a way forward. Perhaps the time has come for a commission for truth and justice as we have seen in other areas of conflict in the world. We should no longer leave it to the media. Truth and justice are required. I agree we need truth from all sides, and there is unanimity on that issue. It would not be premature to invite the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, to the House to debate the issue with us so that we in this House, and hopefully those in the other House, would take ownership of this debate.