Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

The murder of Pat Finucane was one of the most notorious acts during the Northern Ireland Troubles. He was a solicitor who did his job effectively and who provided his services without fear or favour, but it would seem now that he was about to throw light on some murky happenings in the North which involved collusion by the security forces. There was an outcry at the time of his murder, not just in Ireland but throughout the world, because people saw it as an attack on the legal profession and the judicial system.

I listened to Pat Finucane's son on the radio yesterday and find it understandable that the Finucane family would want a proper, independent public inquiry into his case. It seems there are files in the possession of MI5 which would provide particular information on this murder. It would continue the good relationships which have developed in recent years between Britain and Ireland if the new Government in Britain would expedite an independent inquiry of this kind and ensure that all the necessary documents are made available. It will not be acceptable to suggest that they might in some way endanger national security. This is a case which if it is not brought to a conclusion, will only taint the success and the results which have emanated from the peace process to date. Above all else, the Finucane family, like any other family, is entitled to retrospective justice and proper process at this time.