Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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36. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will replace his plans for a senior counsel review of the cold case inquiry into the murder of Fr. Niall Molloy with a proper independent public inquiry; and if he will meet Fr. Molloy's family in relation to this matter. [5319/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that arrangements are being put in train for Mr. Dominic McGinn, Senior Counsel, to carry out the proposed independent examination of the report of the Serious Crime Review Team relating to the Garda investigation into the death of Fr.Niall Molloy.

The terms of reference for the examination have been agreed with the Attorney General and are available on my Department's website. They have also been furnished directly to a representative of the family of Fr. Molloy.

In accordance with the terms of reference, Mr. McGinn will be asked to do two things, namely--

- to prepare a report which can be put into the public domain on any issues of public interest which may arise from the report, having regard to the rights of all those involved, and

- taking into account existing mechanisms for the investigation of offences, to identify matters, if any, of significant public concern which would warrant examination by a further inquiry and in respect of which such further inquiry would have a reasonable prospect of establishing the truth.

Given that one of the objectives of the proposed examination is to identify whether there are matters of significant public concern that would warrant examination by a further inquiry and in respect of which such further inquiry would have a reasonable prospect of establishing the truth, I have no proposals at this time to change the above arrangements. Rather, my immediate priority is to allow the Senior Counsel to carry out his examination so that the maximum amount of information can be put into the public domain at the earliest possible date. I will, of course, give full consideration to any matters which are identified as a result of the examination.

While I do not believe that a meeting with family members of Fr. Molloy will serve to advance matters at this time, it is important to add that they have been kept appraised of developments in this matter.