Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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143. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if all formal requests from An Garda Síochána and the Government since 2021 for intelligence and other co-operation from the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom authorities relating to bombings in this jurisdiction in 1972 and 1973 have been fully facilitated; if An Garda Síochána is satisfied that no further information held by the PSNI or the UK authorities has been withheld or is outstanding following these specific requests relating to those heinous crimes committed more than 50 years ago; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24234/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I acknowledge the Deputy's long term interest and advocacy for the survivors and the families of the victims of these bombings, in particular in relation to the Belturbet bombing, as well as Clones, Co. Monaghan, and Pettigo, Co. Donegal on 28 December 1972 and the series of bombings in Dublin city centre in 1972 and 1973. The perpetrators of these appalling crimes demonstrated a callous disregard for human life, murdering innocent victims and injuring many people. It is a matter of deep regret that, to date, no one has been made amenable for these crimes.

As the Deputy will be aware, a comprehensive review of the Belturbet bombing investigation was carried out by An Garda Síochána in recent years which identified a number of lines of inquiry. A Senior Investigating Officer was appointed in 2022 to lead the investigation and an incident room has been established at Ballyconnell Garda Station. Numerous media appeals have been made by An Garda Síochána calling for anyone with information in relation to the bombing to make contact.

It has always been the case that An Garda Síochána work closely with the PSNI to advance investigations. The normal mechanism is to utilise the Mutual Legal Assistance process in relation to criminal matters. This is an operational Garda matter and as the Deputy will appreciate it would not be appropriate for me to comment on live investigations or individual requests for mutual assistance.

The Government is fully committed to seeking the truth behind these appalling events and, hopefully, to secure some measure of comfort for the victims’ families and the survivors. Legacy matters are raised with the UK Government, in the context of the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference, including on individual cases such as the Belturbet bombing.

The implementation of the All-Party Dáil motions which call on the British Government to allow access to all relevant documents relating to a series of bombings, including the Dublin bombings of 1972 and 1973, is a priority and I can assure the Government continue to regularly raise the matter with the British Government, most recently, at the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference in London on 29 April last.

I can assure the Deputy that the objective is to bring perpetrators of these horrific crimes to justice and remain committed to supporting An Garda Síochána in their investigation.