Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I firmly believe there will be a public inquiry into the murder of Mr. Pat Finucane. This is because of the tenacity of the Finucane family and because the Pandora's box has been opened and the British State admits there was collusion in his murder. I find there is great generosity in the British media on this question. I also believe the Government is committed to pursuing the matter until there is a public inquiry. I do not believe it will be possible for the British Administration to continue to act as an honest broker internationally, pointing out the importance of the state in issues of human rights and fair play, because its credibility internationally will also suffer.

This morning I listened to a radio programme in which a British journalist pointed out that it was not just Mr. Pat Finucane, but other nationalist solicitors were also mentioned as possible targets. Death threats were made against them and they were not notified of that. From a number of contributions we have had from British journalists, it is also obvious that the names of the agents that are known publicly are at the lower end of the scale. There are bigger names up the political line who were also involved in this. It beggars belief that all of this was happening whether through the British intelligence service or its agents on the ground without people at a very high political level being aware of that. It just could not happen. That is one of the reasons the British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron, does not want witnesses brought before a public inquiry where they could be interrogated.

I understand how the Finucane family feels today. Of course, every other family would feel the same. However, we are dealing with one issue at the moment and it represents the tip of the iceberg. Considering the terrible times we had in Northern Ireland, it now transpires that a major part of what was happening at that time could be laid at the doorstep of the British State, which is frightening. We have raised the question of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings and the same situation applies - we requested co-operation from Britain, but were refused. Is it acceptable that innocent people should be selected for murder with collusion by a state, in which we are to have confidence and with which we are to have co-operation? It is in the interests not only of human rights, the Finucane family and the future of this island, but it is also in the interest of the British Government to do the right thing and do it now. I support the Government statements made in the Dáil yesterday because I believe the Government feels as we do on this issue. It helped to underpin the Good Friday Agreement and the peace process. It expects more from the British Government - we might even say our partners in Britain - and we should get that quickly. I hope we will all support the Government in that regard.