Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. The Minister is very welcome to the House for this very important debate. As the Cathaoirleach said, today, 17 May, marks the 48th anniversary of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. As he said, I attended a wreath laying ceremony earlier today on Talbot Street, along with the Taoiseach, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Alison Gilliland, and the cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council, Councillor Aidan Campbell, along with many others. It was a very poignant event.

Every year, we gather here to discuss this issue, but unfortunately little or no progress or forward movement is being seen for the victims, survivors and their families. Some 33 people lost their lives in Monaghan and Dublin on 7 May 1974. It was the greatest loss of life in one single day during the entire Troubles. As the anniversary occurs today, our thoughts and prayers are very much with the victims and their families.

It is very difficult and frustrating to try to understand how, 48 years on, the hunt and search for the truth and justice for the tragedy in which 33 people lost their lives, seven in County Monaghan and 26 in Dublin, as well as for the 300 people who were injured, is still going on. We can only imagine the pain they have had to endure as a result. That pain, unfortunately, is compounded today in many ways by the fact that, 48 years on, they are still waiting for the truth of what happened on that fateful day.

I pay tribute to all of the families who have worked tirelessly to try to lift the lid on what happened. I also pay tribute to the Justice for the Forgotten group led by Margaret Urwin, which has campaigned vigorously to find out the truth, as well as Members in this House and the Lower House, including the Minister, who have also campaigned to find out the truth.

For years, we have pointed the finger at the British Government for its agencies' refusal to hand over any documentation whatsoever. There was some light or a bit of hope with families in recent times with Operation Denton and an investigation carried out by John Stalker, a former chief constable, regarding what happened. It is heartening that the British entities we have pointed the finger at, and rightly so, for many years for refusing to hand over documentation, namely, MI5, the PSNI and the Ministry of Defence, have now handed it over.

It is deeply worrying, and very sad and frustrating, for the families to learn that the obstacle or blockage now rests with An Garda Síochána. I understand it is a legal interpretation of the terms of reference which it signed off on 12 or 18 months ago. Instead of referring to Operation Denton or the investigation by John Stalker, it is using the term "inquiry". For that reason, it seeks clarity from the Attorney General on what it can and cannot hand over. That is all very well, but meanwhile the families are still waiting.I would appreciate it if the Minister has some news for us regarding what this blockage is and the imperative and urgency with which the Government will seek to alleviate this problem to enable information to be handed over. As I said, 48 years is a long time to be waiting for justice. People wish to know who was behind this and why it was done and to ensure those responsible are brought to justice. It will only be then that the families of those who lost their lives in Dublin and Monaghan will finally be able to have some closure to this sad episode and put the memories of their loved ones to rest.