Paul Bradford (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I join in the message of sympathy from the House to the families of the young persons who were killed or injured in California. It is a profound tragedy.

I support the sentiments expressed by colleagues across the board regarding the "Collusion" programme that was shown last night on RTE. While it was shocking, it was not surprising. We all know that, tragically, this type of illegal activity happened in Northern Ireland during the years of conflict. The term "dirty war" in the programme's introduction was a misnomer, as I do not know what a clean war is. Every terrorist, paramilitary and illegal act in Northern Ireland for 30 or 40 years, be it the awful killing of Pat Finucane, the murder of Senator Gordon Wilson's daughter or the bombings in Monaghan or Dublin or on Bloody Sunday, were dirty and horrible incidents. We need to move forward and welcome the progress that has been made in bringing peace to Northern Ireland. It is not a perfect peace, but it is much better than was envisaged 25 or 30 years ago. I have asked previously for a truth and reconciliation commission. While one cannot rewrite the past, it would allow us to focus properly and in a balanced fashion on the history of the conflict. We could examine and move forward from the atrocities carried out on both sides. I met the Finucane family in the Houses many years ago and theirs is a very sad and tragic tale. Even more tragic is the fact that there are countless such tales of woe and misery across the province of Northern Ireland. We must never forget that.

I note that tribute was rightly paid earlier to Senator Susan O'Keeffe for her role in the Yeats programme of commemoration. We should also recognise the positive role played by Senator Healy Eames. There was a fine event in Galway at the weekend in which she played a very constructive and leading role.