Seanad debates

Wednesday, 25 November 2020

Inquiry into the Murder of Mr. Patrick Finucane: Motion

 

10:30 am

Photo of Barry WardBarry Ward (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In many respects, I was too young when this happened to properly understand it. I do not think it is possible for a child to properly understand what was done to Pat Finucane and his family. I was old enough, however, to remember and know of it. When I grew into an adult and had what happened explained more fully, it was still difficult to understand the depth of that kind of thing happening in what was supposed to be a western democratic society. When we look at events like what happened to the Finucane family, it is difficult to see Northern Ireland in the late 1980s as being anything like that.

I also acknowledge the presence of John Finucane. It is a testament to him and his family that he is here and that they have continued to fight this battle. His brother, Michael Finucane, is known to me as a professional colleague. He is someone I know, like and greatly respect. As a solicitor practising criminal law in Dublin, he shows the same tenacity and fearlessness his father did.

Other speakers mentioned the fact that Pat Finucane was a lawyer. As a lawyer, I do not want to focus on this too much, but it when the state attacks a lawyer, a person whose job it is to defend his or her clients in court and within the process without fear or favour, it goes to the heart of our democracy. Just as we would criticise that same thing happening to a judge, in the same way, it strikes at the heart of the administration of what should be justice. In the facts of this case, however, the one thing patently absent is justice.

Other speakers referred to the fact the British state, that is, the British Government and the establishment in Britain, has gone back on its word. It is astonishing that more than 30 years later, we are still talking about the things that were agreed 20 years ago and commitments that were made by Governments. It is in the same vein of what the likes of Mr. Donald Trump did in respect of climate change agreements that the British Government reneged on its word in this regard. It is in the same vein of the kinds of broken promises of other government's that would be directly criticised by the British Government. The hypocrisy of its approach to this issue is clear for everyone to see. It is something from which it cannot hide.

It is a real pleasure in Private Members' business to be able to speak on something on which we all agree. I wish to put on record my support, obviously, for this motion but also my praise for those who brought it forward. It is rare enough we all agree on things in this Chamber, but I listened to what the Minister had to say earlier. I note his commitment to this issue and that of his predecessors and previous Governments in this State not to shy away from this issue but to speak frankly with our neighbouring Government and tell it how we feel about this issue, and how little we want to tolerate the kind of behaviour we have seen from the British Government. That is tremendously important. In speaking with one voice in this House this evening, we also send that message to anyone across the water who is listening.We are speaking from a real democratic State where the rule of law has value, where I hope Government commitments have value and where an injustice like this is recognised as such when it occurs. This is not something we are saying alone because it has been recognised as an injustice by authorities internationally, by figures who have been invited to look into this case and by figures of authority who have examined the facts. When we speak with one voice in this House, we say to those people that this cannot be allowed to stand and that there is a responsibility on anyone who purports to be a democrat or to respect the rule of law to say it cannot be tolerated. This kind of activity, this collusion, this injustice, this assassination, this murder cannot be allowed to go unremarked and unresolved because that is what it is.

I very much support the motion and the idea that we as a House of the Oireachtas send out that message very clearly. I praise the people who have introduced the motion. I do not propose to use any more of my time because the facts of this matter have been set out very clearly. The facts are beyond dispute and it is time the British Government stepped up and took responsibility for its role.

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