Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I hope that what I have said in this House will reassure those people there is no such intention. The independence of the tribunal is fully respected in the original motion. No attempt is being made to prevent it getting at the truth in so far as it can do so. There is no question that the Government or the Garda engaged in any cover-up of any nature whatsoever. What we need is the truth and we need to get to the truth for the sake, in particular, of the families who were bereaved by this atrocity. I have made it very clear that if, for some unforeseen reason, the chairman cannot complete the inquiry in the timeframe proposed, he can report back to the Clerk of the Dáil to the effect that circumstances have arisen which require that timescale to be extended. This House can then consider the matter.

I also referred to the fact that prior to the tabling of this motion, the chairman indicated to me that he believed this tribunal would complete its work within the timeframe detailed. Since the publicity arose, the chairman has corresponded with me to indicate concerns in regard to witnesses attending before the tribunal. We have responded to that and will be forwarding to the chairman the speech made by me in the Dáil setting out clearly that we want the tribunal to do its work, to continue to act with integrity and independence, and to reach a conclusion and make recommendations on the facts available to it within the terms of the motion originally passed in 2005.

I regard it as reasonable that a tribunal that has cost the State in excess of €8 million and that has been sitting in private for six years would make an interim report to the Houses of the Oireachtas. I note with interest and curiosity the motion tabled by Senator Byrne, who wants me as Minister for Justice and Equality to prepare a detailed report outlining all relevant information concerning the work of the tribunal. How can I do that in the context of an independent tribunal? Is that not why we want an independent report from the tribunal to this House, namely, so this House knows about the workings of the tribunal?