Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)

I thank Senator Gallagher.

First, I want to express my condolences and those of the Government to all of the families whose loved ones were killed and to all those who were injured and maimed on that awful day of 17 May 1974. I am old enough to remember it well. It is utterly incomprehensible and heartbreaking that on a day almost 51 years ago so many innocent people going about their daily lives, perhaps going to work, shopping, meeting friends, walking in the city, taking the train or whatever, were callously and brutally attacked. Their lives were changed forever. The survivors and the families of the victims remain firm in their quest for justice and for information about what happened to their loved ones. I commend them on the courage and dignity with which they have pursued justice and accountability in the years since the attacks.

The Government is fully committed to seeking the truth behind these events. We have worked consistently to implement the all-party motions adopted by the other House which call on the British Government to allow access to all relevant documents relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, and we continue to regularly raise this case with the British Government. Most recently, on 24 April, at the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference in Hillsborough Castle, the Minister raised the bombings with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn, referencing the findings of the Barron and MacEntee inquiries, citing it as an ongoing issue of concern. The Government will continue to raise these bombings and the all-party motions with the British Government.

Last year Senator Gallagher also tabled a Commencement Matter on the bombings, with a focus on the reports due to be published on these atrocities and I will give an update. The Operation Denton report, which is an independent analytical review being carried out by Kenova into the Glenanne gang, is still awaited.The Dublin and Monaghan bombings are included as part of this report. A further report is to be published by the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland. The ombudsman investigation, entitled Operation Newham, is examining collusion with the Glenanne gang. In recent weeks the ombudsman, Marie Anderson, confirmed that the investigation has led to a decision by the public prosecution service to prosecute a former member of the RUC for offences, including murder, so she is not in a position to publish as it would be potentially prejudicial to the future criminal proceedings.

The Government is fully committed to assisting the families and finding the truth of what happened. In addition to the Barron and MacEntee enquiries, An Garda Síochána has been assisting the UK authorities in their investigations I just referenced. I will add to that in my final response.