Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 382: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has held discussions with the Northern Ireland First Minister, Mr. Robinson, regarding the Smithwick tribunal. [18912/11]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 383: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will discuss the interim report of the Smithwick tribunal with any leaders during his planned visit to Northern Ireland. [18913/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 382 and 383 together.

The Deputy will recall that in my reply to his Question No. 155 of 22 June 2011, I stated that I had spoken with the Northern Ireland First Minister, Peter Robinson, and with the Northern Ireland Minister of Justice, David Ford, to inform them of the content of my speech in Dáil Éireann relating to the Smithwick Tribunal and the motion passed by the Dáil on 1 June 2011. The House will appreciate that given the independent nature of the Tribunal and conscious of the respective roles of the Oireachtas, the Government and the Tribunal, I do not consider that it would be proper for me to enter into discussions on the ongoing substantive work of the Tribunal as reflected in its interim report.