Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I support Senator O'Toole's call in respect of the work and objectives of the Curtin committee. While legislation is being prepared, it is worth pointing out that in the state of Massachusetts, there is a commission which comprises nine members — three from the judiciary, three from the legal profession and three from the public. It deals with instances where the judiciary brings its profession into disrepute or where issues arise which could affect the confidence of the public in the judicial system. It is a model which could well be reflected in legislation. The sooner that legislation is in place, the better.

Will the Leader arrange a debate next week on the report by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Women's Rights on the bombing of Kay's Tavern and other atrocities in the 1970s which was sought by a number of Members last week? At that time I suggested we might await the publication of the McEntee report into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings but I understand that further time has been requested to finalise that report which means it may not be completed until January or February. That is too long to leave this issue unaddressed. It behoves the Members of these Houses to continue to exert pressure on the British Government to meet its obligations and responsibilities in this regard.

The report of the joint committee clearly indicated the extent of the collusion and we owe it to the families and the State to keep this a live issue with which we must deal. The issue will not go away or be forgotten. I would say to Members who are members of the British-Irish Interparliamentary Body that it is a forum in which this issue can be raised and highlighted. Hopefully, we will be able to make advances which have not been made in the past.