Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this issue and I am very aware that in the week of the 44th anniversary of the Dublin-Monaghan bombings that this is hugely sensitive time for the families concerned. That tragic incident saw the biggest loss of life in any single day during the Troubles, as pointed out by the Senator. It is important to acknowledge politicians across the Oireachtas who work on a cross-party basis with the Government on this issue, in support of the tireless efforts of Justice for the Forgotten which is playing such an important role, in terms of trying to move this process forward.

The Government will be represented at the wreath-laying ceremony tomorrow to mark the anniversary of these tragic events by my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Charles Flanagan. I will be taking Leader's Questions which is why I cannot unfortunately be there myself.

The Programme for a Partnership Government highlights the priority that the Government attaches to the implementation of the all-party Dáil motions relating to the Dublin-Monaghan bombings. I recently met with Justice for the Forgotten to hear its views and update it on the Government’s continuing engagement on legacy issues, including with the British Government, and on the Dáil motions.

The all-party motion on the 1974 Dublin-Monaghan bombings that was adopted by the Dáil on 25 May 2016 has, like those adopted in 2008 and 2011, been conveyed to the British Government. These motions call on the British Government to allow access to an independent, international judicial figure to all original documents relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, as well as the Dublin bombings of 1972 and 1973, the bombing of Kay’s Tavern in Dundalk and the murder of Mr. Seamus Ludlow.

The Government is committed to actively pursuing the implementation of these all-party motions, and has consistently raised the issue with the British Government. I am actively engaged with the British Government on an ongoing basis on this issue, as are officials from my Department. I raised the issue again in person with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Karen Bradley, last month and my officials were in touch with their British counterparts as recently as last week. I have consistently underlined to the British Government that the Dáil motions represent the consensus political view in Ireland that an independent, international judicial review of all the relevant documents is required to establish the full facts of the Dublin-Monaghan atrocities.I have consistently underlined to the British Government that the Dáil motions represent the consensus political view in Ireland and that an independent international judicial review of all of the relevant documents is required to establish the full facts of the Dublin-Monaghan atrocities. I have also made it clear that the absence of a response from the British Government is of deep concern to the Government and both Houses of Oireachtas. I have emphasised the urgent need for such a response. I will draw the attention of the Secretary of State to this debate in the Seanad and the many questions which have been raised in the Dáil to illustrate this point. I wish to reassure the House that the Government will continue to engage with the British Government on the request on the Dublin-Monaghan bombings and pursue all possible avenues that could achieve progress to that end.