David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)

It is not so long ago we had a debate in the House on the Smithwick tribunal. During the course of that debate, the Minister was adamant there needed to be a final report at the end of this month. This motion seeks to extend the time limit, which is to be welcomed because a view was expressed by number of Senators that it would be wrong to rush the work of the tribunal and that it should be given sufficient time to reach its conclusions. I welcome the extension of the time limits. My party welcomed the establishment of the tribunal so there would be an inquiry into alleged collusion by a member of An Garda Síochána in the killing of senior RUC officers. My party is fully supportive of the relatives of those who lost their lives over the course of the conflict. Many of these people still seek answers.

My party has called for a proper truth and reconciliation process which would be helpful to all victims on all sides. We have constantly made the point there must not be a hierarchy of victims. There were people who suffered and died at the hands of republicans. They, too, deserve answers, just like the family of Pat Finucane and the victims of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. We still await inquiries into these matters. We know the Finucane family has worked very closely with the Taoiseach but it is still awaiting a proper inquiry into the murder of Pat. There have been several cross-party motions passed in this House urging the British Government to do more in regard to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. A broader truth and recovery process would be beneficial to the people of this State and this island, and I would support it. My party is also supportive of this motion, which seeks to extend the time limit for this tribunal, which is looking into the killings of two RUC officers whose families also deserve truth and justice.