Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

353. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will support the victims of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, and the victims of all other cross-Border attacks, and that any truth recovery process is inclusive for all victims of the troubles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48338/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The thousands of lives lost, people injured and families bereaved was the tragic cost exacted on the people of this island over the course of the troubles. The atrocities perpetrated against innocent men, women and children in Dublin and Monaghan in May 1974 stand out in our collective memory as particularly bloody episodes in the history of conflict on this island. The impact of the very many other atrocities perpetrated over the course of the troubles lives also long in our memory and is felt to this very day. Our thoughts are with all the victims and their families.

In respect of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, the Deputy will be aware that this House and Seanad Éireann have unanimously called on the British Government to make available certain documentation in its possession relevant to the bombings that has not previously been made available. The Taoiseach and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade have raised this issue with the British Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Northern on a number of occasions.

Addressing the legacy of the troubles on this island is a complex and difficult process. The Deputy will be aware that work is ongoing in Northern Ireland, involving all the parties in the Executive and the two Governments, to try to find an agreed and comprehensive way to deal with that legacy of past violence. The work in this regard places a particular priority on acknowledging and addressing the concerns of the victims of the troubles. For its part, the Government will continue to support the parties in Northern Ireland in finding an agreed way forward on these issues.