Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Defence the position regarding the independent review being carried out by a person (details supplied) into the interaction between the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces and the parents and family of Private Kevin Barrett following his death; when he expects this review to be complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38159/05]

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 85: To ask the Minister for Defence if he has received a report on the inquest into the death of Private Kevin Barrett in the Lebanon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38132/05]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 96: To ask the Minister for Defence if he has received a copy of the transcript of the coroner's inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death of Private Kevin Barrett in Lebanon in 1999; if he has reviewed the transcript; if he will authorise a full independent inquiry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38160/05]

Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 70, 85 and 96 together.

Private Kevin Barrett died on 18 February 1999 while serving with the 84th Infantry Battalion in Lebanon. His death was the subject of a UN board of inquiry and an Irish contingent board of inquiry as well as a military police investigation. The coroner for north west Donegal held an inquest into the death of Private Barrett from 5 to 8 September 2005. The jury returned an open verdict.

The Minister for Defence met Mrs. Barrett on 4 October 2005, accompanied by her solicitor. During the course of this meeting the Minister for Defence apologised to Mrs. Barrett and her family for the pain and suffering they had experienced since Private Barrett's tragic death. The Minister for Defence indicated to Mrs. Barrett that when he had received the transcript of the coroner's inquest, which was unavailable at the time of the meeting, he would decide what further action to take. He also gave Mrs. Barrett an undertaking to have the interaction between the Department of Defence-Defence Forces and her and Private Barrett's family reviewed by an independent person. On 28 October 2005, the Minister for Defence appointed Mr. Sean Hurley to carry out an independent review of the interaction between the Department of Defence-Defence Forces and parents and family of Private Barrett in the aftermath of his tragic death. It is anticipated that the Minister for Defence will receive the report of the independent review before Christmas.

The Department of Defence recently received a copy of the transcript of the coroner's inquest into the death of Private Kevin Barrett, and this is currently being examined in the Department. When the Minister for Defence reviews the report on the coroner's inquest and Mr. Hurley's report on the interaction between the Department of Defence-Defence Forces and the parents and family of Private Barrett, he will decide what further action to take.