Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I compliment Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile on bringing the motion forward. I attended a briefing in the AV room organised by the Senator and it was one of the most powerful presentations I have ever witnessed. To listen to the men outline their experiences of literally going to hell was very stark. Senator O'Reilly said that the first wrong was that the men were dragged from their homes without being guilty of anything. That compounds the matter even more. There is a duty on the Government to step up to the plate in this regard and not, as Senator Mark Daly said, have to be dragged through the courts again to do what is the only thing to do, namely, the right thing.

This is the second time I have discussed the British authorities today. Earlier, I spoke about the Monaghan bombings that happened 44 years ago. The 44th anniversary of those bombings occurs tomorrow, 17 May. Families have been left waiting for answers as to what happened. The British Government has refused point-blank to release the files in order that we might shine a light on what happened.All we are looking for here is what is right and proper. Again I compliment my colleague to my right on bringing this forward. I am gladdened to hear that all sides of the House will be supporting this. It is now up to the Government to do the only thing that is left to do, which is to do the right thing and pursue this to the very end.