Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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612. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the calls from some of the families who lost loved ones in the Omagh bombing on 15 August 1998 for an independent public inquiry into bombing in the State; to include in his views the Government’s plan to cooperate with the existing Omagh Bombing Inquiry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37119/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The single worst atrocity of the Troubles occurred in Omagh on 15 August 1998. The bombing was an unspeakable and brutal act of cruelty carried out by terrorists with no sense of humanity or respect for human life. We will never forget those who lost their lives, those who were injured and the families whose suffering for their loved ones continues.

The Omagh Bombing Inquiry was established by the Northern Ireland Secretary of State in March 2024 to investigate whether the bombing could have been prevented by the UK authorities. The work of the Inquiry is continuing. It concluded its commemorative and personal statements in February and last month the Inquiry sat to hear opening statements on behalf of the Core Participants to the Inquiry. Evidential hearings are expected to commence next March.

From the outset 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 is reflected in the formal decision by the Government in July 2024.

In April this year I signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chairman of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry, Lord Alan Turnbull, on matters relating to the disclosure of materials to the Inquiry. This is a truly important step towards delivering on the commitment in the Programme for Government to “play our full part in legacy processes, including facilitating and supporting the Omagh Inquiry.”

This is a complex area given that it involves assisting an inquiry in another jurisdiction. However, the signing of the MOU shows that it is possible to navigate these complexities and move forward. The MOU provides transparency in relation to the how the Government will fulfil its commitment and provides a clear framework to guide Departments and their agencies who may hold material potentially relevant to the work of the Inquiry.

There is ongoing engagement between my Department and the Inquiry to support the operation of the MOU. The central point of contact established in my Department is supporting the handling of requests for the disclosure of relevant materials to the Inquiry and facilitating engagement with nominated representatives of key state authorities, including An Garda Síochána, who may have relevant records, to ensure timely and effective management of all request for assistance received.

Along with the Taoiseach and Tánaiste, I am committed to assisting the Inquiry to the greatest extent possible consistent with our laws and the 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.

With regards to the question of the establishment of a public inquiry in this jurisdiction, I am satisfied that the best approach is for the Government to assist to the greatest extent possible the UK Omagh Inquiry with a view to it being able to provide the answers to the questions that have been raised in relation to the bombing by the families of the victims and others.

A separate parallel inquiry in this jurisdiction is not considered to be warranted. The need for any further action to be taken here in the course of or following the conclusion of the UK Inquiry, will be kept under review.