Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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44. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his engagement with the British Government on issues relating to the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3642/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Dublin-Monaghan bombings saw the largest loss of life on a single day in the Troubles, with 33 people tragically killed and many more injured. The Government will continue to seek the full truth of these appalling attacks, and some measure of closure for those affected, in accordance with the three Motions passed unanimously by Dáil Éireann.

The all-party motion that was adopted by the Dáil on 25 May 2016, like those adopted in 2008 and 2011, calls on the British Government to allow access by an independent, international judicial figure to all original documents relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, as well as the Dublin bombings of 1972 and 1973, the bombing of Kay’s Tavern in Dundalk and the murder of Seamus Ludlow. The Programme for Government reiterates Ireland’s commitment to engaging with the British Government on this issue as matter of priority, in accordance with the All-Party Dáil motions.

I have consistently underlined to the British Government that the Dáil motions represent the consensus political view in Ireland that an independent, international judicial review of all the relevant documents is required to establish the full facts of the Dublin and Monaghan atrocities. I have also underlined that the absence of a response from the British Government is of deep concern to the Government and indeed this House, and I have emphasised the urgent need for such a response.

In addition, at the last BIIGC, which took place on 2 December, I again raised our concerns in relation to specific individual legacy cases, including the Dublin-Monaghan bombings.

Officials from my Department met with Justice for the Forgotten last year to hear their views and update them on the Government’s continuing engagement on legacy issues, including with the British Government on the Dáil motions.

The Government will continue to engage with the British Government on this request, at senior political level and in official level engagement by my Department, to pursue all possible avenues to achieve progress on this issue until a resolution is found.