Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister. Fine Gael welcomes the establishment of this inquiry into the murders of RUC Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and RUC Superintendent Robert Buchanan by the Provisional IRA. I remember reading in The Irish Times four years ago that this inquiry was to be set up and Fine Gael is pleased that it has finally been established.

The two officers were a great loss to their police force and their deaths marked a blow to the growing co-operation between the then RUC and the Garda Síochána. They were also a great loss to their families, friends and communities. Some criticism of the actions and practices of the RUC at the time was probably necessary but the courage and dedication of these two gentlemen and the members of that force can never be questioned.

The work of any police force is of fundamental importance to its community and country and members of the police must serve as role models for all. They must stand as examples of discipline, courage and fairness. Good police officers deserve the support, recognition and admiration of their communities. In the period from 1969 to 1999, over 300 members of the RUC and the RUC Reserve lost their lives. The murder of such men was a blow to the policing communities, to the residents of Northern Ireland, to all who believe in a democratic society and to those who understand the importance of the role of a police force in such a society.

I will not repeat the details of the ambush as the Minister has already outlined them. However, it is important to bear in mind that these unarmed men were returning from a meeting at Dundalk Garda station. They were doing so as part of the normal co-operation that took place at the time between both police forces in combatting the criminal activity and smuggling which, unfortunately, is still being carried out on this island by these murderous and criminal gangs. These were two brave men who travelled unarmed as part of their duties. People in this jurisdiction should be aware of that fact. They were set upon by a gang of murderous thugs who brutally murdered them. The Minister has outlined the sequence of events. One of the men got out of the car after he had been shot and waved a white handkerchief but an IRA thug shot him in the back of the head. This is the type of murder that was perpetrated by those on all sides of the conflict during those times.

It should also be borne in mind that Chief Superintendent Breen and Superintendent Buchanan left widows and children. People should take account of the suffering inflicted on those two families as a consequence of this murderous act. It also brings to mind the suffering of the widow of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe, who was also murdered by these thugs and criminals.

Section 2.30 of the Cory report deals with Chief Superintendent Breen's comments to his staff officer, Sergeant Mains, to the effect that he was uneasy about going to Dundalk. He believed that one of the officers stationed there had contact with a member of a notorious family from the area who was suspected of being a member of the Provisional IRA and of being involved in smuggling activities in the area. He believed the officer had passed information to him. He also believed that certain members of the Garda Síochána were in that person's pay. He named a particular garda. The Minister referred to the statement of Kevin Fulton which bears out that point. This tribunal will investigate further whether collusion occurred. We must ensure that what we are establishing does not degenerate into another cash cow for the Law Library set. There is no question about this. I do not think the public will tolerate it. I welcome the remarks on costs made by the Minister. What occurred in the past is not acceptable and it cannot be allowed to continue.

It is also important that the Minister spells out how the Government intends to address the issue of large payments. He already mentioned this issue today and he ought to expand on it later. Judge Cory's reported stated:

Time and costs can be reasonably controlled. For example, a maximum allowance could be set for counsel appearing for every party granted standing.

I am concerned about the terms of reference which require the inquiry to be completed in as economical a manner as possible. I do not think that is sufficient. We have not been given an estimate of the amount of time the tribunal's work will take. The work of other tribunals which were supposed to finish within 12 months continued for up to five years. That must be considered in this inquiry. We are fortunate that Judge Cory has completed a great deal of preliminary work to a high standard, for which I compliment him. The Cory report is a model which I would like to see followed when inquiries are conducted into certain matters in the future.

The Minister alluded to the matter of co-operation by all parties in this process. That is essential. However, I do not have confidence that Sinn Féin and its masters in the Provisional IRA will co-operate with this inquiry. It will probably be a situation similar to the graffiti on the walls of the Short Strand which states: "Whatever you say, say nothing." As the murder of Mr. Robert McCartney demonstrates, the Provisional IRA and Sinn Féin speak fine words but action seems to be missing in many cases. I hope that in this case they put their money where their mouths are and co-operate in a meaningful way with this tribunal but I have serious doubts about that.

I conclude by quoting from the Cory report which was quoted earlier by the Minister. It states, "These shootings were brutal, cowardly, and demonstrate a callous insensitivity to both the suffering of individuals and to life itself." I add democracy to this list. We must ensure that this tribunal is sharp, short and focused and I trust the Minister will ensure this will be the case.