Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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770. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the measures that have been put in place to ensure full co-operation by the State with the Omagh bombing inquiry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3561/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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As the commemorative hearings continue in the Omagh Bombing Inquiry in Northern Ireland, my thoughts are with all those who lost loved ones and will forever bear the scars of the horrendous violence perpetrated on that tragic August afternoon in 1998. Their testimony has been heart-breaking and I know the coming weeks will be difficult for families and survivors. I would like to pay tribute to their courage.

The Government has made clear its intention to do everything possible to assist the Inquiry. That is in the best interests of victims and their families and follows the Government Decision last July to assist the UK Omagh Bombing Inquiry.

The Programme for Government strongly reiterates that intention, stating that we will “play our full part in legacy processes...including facilitating and supporting the Omagh Inquiry”.

The cross border nature of the assistance, to an inquiry established under UK law, means that there are legal complexities that must be worked through in seeking to put in place mechanisms to guide and support our engagement with the Inquiry. Government officials, including officials from my Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs, are engaged in the detail of this work, meeting regularly with the Inquiry team.

Along with the Taoiseach and Tánaiste, I am committed to assisting the Inquiry to the greatest extent possible consistent with our laws including the constitutional rights of individuals. Should it be necessary to bring forward legislation to support this assistance to the Inquiry, the Government has made clear that this will be done.

In parallel with discussing with the Inquiry team how best to structure our engagement over the course of its work, some practical measures have been put in place. In particular, a central point of contact (CPC) has been established in my Department to ensure timely and effective management of all requests for assistance from the Inquiry. Key State authorities who may have relevant records have also nominated contact points to support the operation of the CPC. A number of requests for material have already been received and are being examined by relevant authorities.