Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 225: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the report from the sub-committee of the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights that British Forces colluded to plant bombs on the streets of Dublin and Monaghan and in the murder of the Miami Showband members; and the action he will take on this urgent matter. [43182/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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These events were the subject of extensive investigation by an independent Commission of Inquiry headed by Justice Barron. That Commission presented four separate reports to the Taoiseach and a Sub-Committee of the Oireachtas has considered each of them in turn. The reports of the Sub-Committee highlight issues of deep concern. On foot of the first of these reports, the Government appointed Mr. Patrick MacEntee S.C. as Sole Member of a Commission of Investigation to examine specific matters relating to the Dublin and Monaghan Bombings of 1974. This Commission of Investigation is in the closing stages of its work.

The Government has made the issue of collusion a continual feature of our contacts with the British Government at all levels. The Taoiseach discussed the issue when he met with Prime Minister Blair in London on 4 December last. I also had a follow-up discussion with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland at the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference meeting in London yesterday, during which I received a promise of full cooperation by the British Government in addressing this issue. We will continue to press the British Government on these matters in order to achieve progress on these very disturbing cases.

The Taoiseach and I have already announced our support for a full debate in the Dáil and Seanad on collusion, as recommended by the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights. I look forward to that debate and to the opportunity it will give for the various issues of concern to be further considered in this House.