Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 282: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the recent reports that the Northern Ireland Prosecutions Office does not intend to initiate charges against any member of the police or the security forces for their implication in the murder of the late Pat Finucane. [18960/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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It is disappointing that the Public Prosecution Service of Northern Ireland found that there is insufficient evidence at this time for further prosecutions arising out of the third Stevens report into alleged collusion between loyalist paramilitaries and the security forces.

The announcement that there will be no further prosecutions does not address the serious underlying issues arising from the murder of Pat Finucane in 1989, or allay the widely-held concerns regarding this case. Indeed, the findings only add weight to the family's case for a full and independent inquiry into the murder. This remains the Government's position.

Both the British and Irish Governments committed to an inquiry at the Weston Park talks in 2001. However, the Government fully understand and share the concerns of the family regarding the UK Inquiries Act (2005), under which the British Government would intend to hold an inquiry. We have made this position clear to the British Government directly on a number of occasions.

Ireland has also raised the case at appropriate international fora including the UN and Council of Europe, and will continue to do so. The Government will also remain in close touch with the Finucane family as we follow developments in this case.