Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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259. 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. [29581/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Last month marked the 48th anniversary of the appalling attacks of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings in which 33 people were murdered, the largest loss of life on a single day in the Troubles. Together with the families of those killed and injured, the Taoiseach attended a ceremony in Talbot St to remember those that lost their lives that day.

The Taoiseach assured those families that the implementation of the All-Party Dáil motions relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings continues to be a priority for the Government, as highlighted in the Programme for a Partnership Government.

The All-Party motion on the 1974 Dublin Monaghan bombings adopted by the Dáil on 25 May 2016 has, like those adopted in 2008 and 2011, been conveyed to the British Government. These motions call 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.

We have consistently raised the issues set out in these motions with the British Government, including at the most recent meeting of the British-Irish Inter-Governmental Conference on 23 March last.

I made clear to my counterpart at the Conference that the absence of a response from the British Government is of deep concern to the Government, and that there remains an urgent need for a considered response.

Following last month’s commemoration, the sense of frustration and disappointment at the lack of progress on this issue was conveyed in the strongest terms to the Northern Ireland Office. We reiterated our commitment to finding truth and justice for the innocent victims of the Dublin Monaghan bombings.

The Government will continue to engage with the British Government on this issue, at all levels, to pursue all possible avenues to achieve progress on this issue, consistent with the request made by this House.

The Government has welcomed the work of Operation Kenova and former Chief Constable Jon Boutcher, who is heading an Independent Police Team to conduct an analytical report on collusion in what has become known as the Glenanne Gang series of cases. This is very relevant to a number of cases including the Dublin and Monaghan bombings.

The Government maintains a close and cooperative relationship with Justice for the Forgotten, as we continue work to seek the full facts of the appalling events of 17 May 1974 and of other attacks in this jurisdiction during the Troubles.

It is particularly disappointing and concerning that British Government have decided to move away from the Stormont House Agreement and proceed with the introduction of its ‘Northern Ireland Troubles’ (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill, a move which will undoubtedly cause concern and upset for victims, families and survivors on this island. I have voiced my clear opposition to this unilateral move.