Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House. I welcome, in particular, the families of the Stardust tragedy. I sympathise with them on their terrible loss and, indeed, with the fact that they have had to journey on a long road, and one that has gone on for 41 years. They are still seeking answers. That is too long. I can only speak on behalf of myself and my party. I certainly will do all I can, and I am sure the Minister will as well, to ensure that the families get what they are entitled to, which is closure.

I preface the few words I have to say with those comments before continuing. From a Fianna Fáil perspective, we are certainly not opposing this Bill. I compliment my colleagues across the way on bringing forward this legislation. Anybody who brings forward in good faith any legislation or any action that will result in the families getting closure is to be commended. I have no problem in doing that. I am advised that the Bill, as is currently presented, will require amendments. I am also advised that there are significant technical conflicts in the Bill, as currently drafted, with existing legislation, including the Coroners Act 1962, the Juries Act 1976 and the Courts Service Act 1998. I have no doubt the Minister will elaborate further on those issues in her contribution. In light of the concerns and particular circumstances of the Stardust inquest, the Government is considering if any appropriate amendments to the law might be required to make special provision for jury selection. In this instance, it is vitally important that the work is completed as quickly as possible to ensure that there is no further delay with the inquests. The current position, as the families well know, is that the Stardust inquests were directed by the then Attorney General in December 2019 in accordance with law. The coroner has not yet empanelled a jury. It is my understanding that she has not indicated an issue with the current jury selection procedures. Since the Attorney General recommended the first inquest into the Stardust tragedy, the Government has ensured that the coroner and the families are provided with all necessary supports. It is only right and proper that this should be the case. The coroner, Dr. Cullinane, has begun work. I understand that 11 pre-inquest hearings have been completed to date, with the 12th one scheduled to take place in mid-March. As I said in my opening comments, I find heartbreaking the road that the families have had to travel, to be quite honest. It is terrible to think that the families have had tragedy upon tragedy heaped upon them. First, they suffered the tragedy of losing loved ones, then they had to travel on a journey to find out the truth of what happened those loved ones. There is no excuse for that. Successive Governments need to look at themselves in the mirror as to why the families are sitting in the Chamber today, 41 years after their lives were destroyed and turned upside down. It is important that we look back and learn from looking back. We must also let today be the first step in us all working together to ensure that the families can finally have the truth and move on with their lives, knowing that they have done all they possibly can to ensure that the memories of their loved ones, who left prematurely, will not have gone in vain, and that they have done all they can to ensure that the truth is out there for everyone to see.I look forward to the Minister's comments in that regard. I hope the families will leave here this evening with a pep in their step, knowing that every Member of the Houses will work tooth and nail to ensure that that day will be fast-tracked as quickly as is humanly possible.