Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirelach as ucht an fháilte a chuir sé roimh na teaghlaigh atá linn. Is pribhléid í go bhfuil siad i láthair inniu. Tá súil agam go mbeidh Seanadóirí in ann freastal ar chraoladh an scannáin sa seomra AV ag a 7 a chlog. I thank the Cathaoirleach for welcoming the families of those who were killed at Loughinisland in 1994. They are here for a dedicated screening for Members of the Oireachtas of the groundbreaking documentary film, "No Stone Unturned", which will be shown in the AV room at 7 p.m. this evening. I encourage all available Members to come along, not just to watch the film and see the sheer and frightening scale of the cover-up and collusion involved in the murders at Loughinisland but also to hear directly from the families of those who were murdered and the survivors of that tragic night who are here for the screening. I will follow on from the remarks made by Senator Conway-Walsh on yesterday's open letter to the Taoiseach from more than 200 figures representing a broad range of civic nationalism, including individuals from academia, sport, the legal profession, the community and voluntary sector and the Irish language sector. The signatories made a public, open and direct plea to the Taoiseach to remain steadfast and become an active voice in defence of rights and citizenship. Those of us who are Irish citizens but happen to be resident in the Six Counties of the north east want to be able to access the same rights and entitlements as our fellow citizens in the rest of the country and many people across the water who have access to these same rights, whether marriage equality or language rights. In light of my opening remarks, the right to access inquests is particularly pertinent given the sourness that prevails around the issue of legacy and unresolved cases.

I was heartened by the Taoiseach's words that the Government will never again abandon citizens - nationalists and all others for that matter - in the North. However, if we do not become champions of the rights and entitlements I have outlined, the families of the victims of Loughinisland and many other families across the board will continue not only to feel abandoned but to be abandoned. For this reason, I welcome and commend the Taoiseach on his heartening and encouraging remarks. I echo Senator Conway-Walsh's call to have the Taoiseach address the House early in the new year on these specific and important issues.