Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will begin by referring to the weekend's march for truth that took place in Belfast. I flagged it when the event was first announced by victims' families and campaigning groups, and I encouraged Members and those available to attend it. I went on Sunday. There were thousands of people on the streets of Belfast, the vast bulk of them victims and survivors - people who have lost loved ones during the course of the conflict in the North. Some of them are very well known in the public discourse and many of them are lesser known. People carried portraits of mothers, brothers, sisters and fathers. The striking thing for me was to see people my age and younger carrying portraits of grandparents, great-aunts and great-uncles. Sadly, those young people of my age and younger must again lift the mantle for their families in campaigning for truth and justice. Many of them simply want an inquest into the murder, killing or loss of their loved ones. I noted that thanks was given from the stage to the Irish Government from the families for its steadfast support for the campaigning groups for victims. On Sunday, they urged the Irish Government to remain steadfast in championing the rights of victims who have lost loved ones in the conflict, many of whom came on Sunday from every and all backgrounds, including people who had lost loved ones at the hands of the British state, republicans and loyalists. It was heartening to see but it is a great shame it had to happen.

I also noted the call from the stage for the Irish Government to publish the Crowley report into the murder of Aidan McAnespie.