Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach and wish him and everyone here a happy St. Valentine's Day.

I raise the appalling revelation that emerged overnight that evidential materials were withheld by the PSNI from the police ombudsman in the North in the case of the atrocity at a bookmakers on the Ormeau Road in which five people were killed and several others injured. Relatives for Justice and its lawyers were continuously assured that, in the course of the police ombudsman's investigation, all of the materials sought had been provided. We now find that is not the case. There was clearly a systemic problem with disclosure in cases involving state killings, in particular killings where collusion was a feature. People may ask why this matter is the business of this House. The first reason is that the Government is the co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement. Moreover, there are many legal minds in this House who will find this revelation appalling. The only reason this evidence has come to light is that it was uncovered as part of a civil case that has been taken. It is appalling to hear the issue being explained away. My colleague, Senator Ó Donnghaile, has called time and again for money to be made available to enable inquests to be carried out and the depth and breadth of state collusion to be examined properly in order that the families can get the truth about what happened to their loved ones.It is not good enough to say computer systems were archaic or that there were things that were not keyed in. There were the Stevens investigation, the review by Mr. Justice Cory and the de Silva review of the investigation into the murder of Pat Finucane by the UDA and in each of the three processes more material was uncovered that it had been claimed did not exist. It is time for the files to be opened and the information aid bare in order that the families can get the truth. It is also important for us to have it as we have had a narrative spun for us and we have turned our backs on what happened over the decades in the North. The files and the information now coming to light on collusion will help us all to better understand what went on during the conflict. I commend the Pat Finucane Centre and Anne Cadwallader on her wonderful work. I recommend her books to Members, in particular Lethal Allies.