Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

Deputy Ardagh's comments are worth noting because he would certainly have started with a view that perhaps there was no collusion involved in these various atrocities. As the various hearings went on, he certainly changed his mind in that regard. According to Deputy Ardagh:

These security forces were not prepared to allow the files to be seen by Mr. Justice Barron, which, in itself, indicated that there was something to hide. We found that members of the security forces in the North were engaged in these terrorist activities in the Republic. It is inconceivable that the colleagues and superiors of these people were not aware that these men were involved. A blind eye was turned to many of their activities.

Coming from the Chairman, who was impartial and very objective in the manner in which he conducted these hearings and the subsequent reports, that is of tremendous significance and clearly illustrates the strong view of the sub-committee.

The question arises as to where we go from here. These people have suffered for too long without getting some remedy or closure on their hurt and sadness. I propose we come back to this House with an agreed motion. First, I propose that this motion be adopted by Seanad Éireann accepting, endorsing and approving the four reports of Mr. Justice Barron and the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights, which are before the House. Second, I propose that the Leader of Seanad Éireann formally inform the Speaker of the House of Lords of the passage of the resolution, forwarding copies of the reports and requesting the matter be considered by members of that house. Third, I propose that the Seanad support the efforts of the Taoiseach in his talks with the British Prime Minister to have files and all relevant information and documentation made available to a Cory-type inquiry which should be established. The inquiry could consist of an Irish Government nominee, a British Government nominee and a judicial figure of international repute and stature. Fourth, I propose that to advance the declared position of these Houses and the findings of these reports, a special Oireachtas joint committee be established to assist in achieving an outcome to the involvement of collusion in these atrocities. In doing that, the proposal of an Oireachtas joint committee could interact with the House of Commons. I hope the Dáil would endorse this proposal as well. A House of Commons and House of Lords committee could deal with this too. Other groups that could be involved include the British-Irish Interparliamentary Body, the consultative group on the past which has been established in the North under the former Archbishop of Armagh, Robin Eames, and Denis Bradley, and the European Parliament and Commission.

I commend the Taoiseach on his efforts. He raised this issue at the meeting in Manchester with the British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, and they have agreed that the matter will be pursued by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, and the Secretary of State, Shaun Woodward.

To preserve and endorse our sovereignty, we need, as a Parliament, to ensure these issues are not allowed to be forgotten and to increase our efforts to bring closure to a group of people who have suffered for far too long.