Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Government welcomes the fact that the inquiry into the murder of Rosemary Nelson and the subsequent police investigation into her death opened on 19 April last, in line with the recommendations of Judge Peter Cory. Her case was one of those examined by Judge Cory as a result of the agreement reached at Weston Park in 2001 between the Irish and British Governments.

The setting up of the inquiry has been the subject of ongoing discussions between officials of both Governments and between myself and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, most recently at the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference held on 2 March. The British Government has consistently assured us that the inquiry will have the powers required to complete its task in the manner set out by Judge Cory. In my meeting with the Secretary of State, I highlighted the importance of engagement between the inquiry panel and the family and their legal representatives and I understand that the family is satisfied with the co-operation they have received to date from the inquiry team.

The opening hearing was held last week in Craigavon. The chairman of the inquiry, Sir Michael Morland, set out the preparatory work carried out to date and his intentions as to the future conduct of the inquiry. An official from my Department was present at the hearing. Full hearings are not expected to begin before spring 2006, after analysis of the considerable volume of written material to be reviewed.