Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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212. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if, in recognition and acknowledgement of the long campaign for justice for the victims of the Stardust tragedy, he will sanction payment for the most recent report carried out on behalf of the families of the victims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33225/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Government agreed to appoint Judge McCartan to assess any new and updated evidence uncovered by the Stardust Relatives and Victims Committee in order to recommend whether a Commission of Investigation should be established into the Stardust Tragedy of 1981. Judge McCartan was appointed on 7 March 2017 and officially commenced his role on 27 March.

The assessment process is being conducted completely independently of Government and the scope of the assessment process is outlined in the Dáil Motion of 26 January 2017.

Judge McCartan has discretion to afford the Stardust Relatives and Victims Committee whatever representation he believes is necessary in order for the Committee to present its evidence to the assessment process, in line with per diemrates for solicitors, junior Counsel and Senior Counsel respectively as agreed by the Government.

The Department has received a fee note from Judge McCartan on 10 July 2017 in respect of fees concerning the submission of the Stardust Relatives and Victims Committee's Report to him on 6 July 2017.This payment is currently being processed.