Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise two related issues. I thought about it when the Minister for Foreign Affairs was in the House for a Commencement matter for Senator Robbie Gallagher. This is the 44th anniversary of the Dublin-Monaghan bombings and the Minister spoke very well about it today. He also shared with us his frustration that nothing had really happened, having regard to a number of motions passed in both Houses of the Oireachtas. It is important that we remember the anniversary in this week and support the tireless efforts of the Justice for the Forgotten group, which has worked constantly on this issue, calling for an independent investigation and validation. That is the policy of the Irish Government and the Minister outlined that policy to us this morning. We should keep this to the fore. We need an independent investigation of the Dublin-Monaghan bombings and of all documents to see what is going on.

This afternoon, Sinn Féin has tabled a motion relating to the hooded men and the injustice they experienced. Those who met them in Leinster House in the past few weeks could not fail to have been moved by the terrible injustice that was done. There is a need for justice, human rights, dignity and respect for people equally under law. Whatever one's view may be about these individuals, we must always defend their rights to fairness, justice and due process.

My two items are legacy issues from the Northern Ireland crisis, which was a terrible blight on our politics and our country. As single issues, they are difficult but we have to address them and put them right. I hope people will be present this afternoon for this very important discussion. I ask Members to keep in mind the people who have struggled and worked so hard for justice to be done, as it hopefully will be in relation to the Dublin-Monaghan bombings.