Maire Devine (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Earlier today, I and hundreds of people joined survivors of the Stardust nightclub and the families of the victims outside the Office of the Attorney General on Merrion Square. We all know the horrific story of the 48 young people who died on St. Valentine's Day in 1981. The Justice for Stardust campaign group has gathered 48,000 signatures. The families state that they have the new evidence, uncovered through freedom of information requests and previously unheard witness testimony, to warrant a new inquest. They have often claimed there was a cover-up by the Government at the time. This has been going on for too long and it is time the families were given the truth. They need peace of mind. Will the Leader ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to come to the House to justify why he believes there is no reason for a new inquest?The original inquest declared that the fire was caused by arson but that was ruled out following a fresh inquiry in 2009. New information has emerged and the people concerned need to have their say.

To echo other comments, I want to give a shout-out to one of the world's most influential people - Vicky Phelan. Comhghairdeas to her. She is a remarkable person, especially when one considers that if she had taken the advice to undergo palliative chemotherapy she would be dead now. Fortunately, she carried out her own research into new treatment and I hope that she will live for a long time. Well done, Vicky. Well done, to us all.