Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

This afternoon we will discuss a motion concerning the Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 which was passed following the Omagh bombing atrocity ten years ago. It contains strong measures to deal with terrorism. It is a travesty, however, that although we are, quite correctly, dealing with that matter on the one hand, and I will support the motion, we are failing to deal with the biggest atrocity in the history of the Troubles, which was the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. I have raised this matter many times in the House this year. A report was produced by the Oireachtas joint committee, on which all parties in both Houses are represented, which clearly called for the endorsement by the Dáil and the Seanad of its recommendations and findings. The families of those who lost loved ones and who were seriously injured in the atrocities in Dublin and Monaghan are still waiting for closure and waiting for the Government to assist in bringing that closure. I call on the Leader and the leaders of the other parties, as I have done before, to bring an agreed motion before the House to endorse those reports and set in train the recommendations made by that body.

Next January we will commemorate the 90th anniversary of the sitting of the first Dáil on 21 January 1919. I do not believe we are deserving successors to the vision, tradition and the sacrifices that generation made if we fail to uphold our own sovereignty in an area where collusion from British forces, known certainly by the Northern Ireland Office and in all probability at the highest levels of Government in Westminster, allowed this to happen and that we are not seeking some form of redress and truth for the people who were bereaved. I feel strongly about that and I appeal to the leaders of all parties to assist in progressing the common sense recommendations made by that committee some years ago. In doing that, this House can give a lead to the Dáil to follow suit.

I support the calls for a debate on price inflation and the insurance industry where there is a plethora of areas we need to look at. In his capacity as Chairman of the former Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Leader and his fellow committee members did commendable work in making impactive recommendations on the insurance industry but the benefit has not flowed to the consumer. There is still a strong perception, which is probably a reality, that the insurance industry is profiteering, as are many other industries, to a far greater degree than happens elsewhere. This area, including the issue of legal fees, needs to be addressed and action must be taken. It is a pity if we wait for a recession to make corrections in those areas. Let us take the initiative and encourage that to happen.