Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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418. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the actions he intends to take regarding concerns that there was never a proper and thorough investigation into the 1975 bombing of Dublin airport (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53380/25]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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419. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the engagements he has had with British authorities regarding the 1975 bombing of Dublin Airport (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53381/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 418 and 419 together.

The bombing of Dublin Airport on 29 November 1975, which was carried out without warning, was a callous attack that killed one person and left eight others injured. It is deeply regrettable, as the fiftieth anniversary of this attack approaches next month, that, to date, no person has been held responsible.

Of course any new evidence that may come to light, from whatever source, whether that be the public, other police services or their own investigations, will be pursued by An Garda Síochána.

As the Deputy may be aware, the Dublin Airport Bombing is one of the cases under review by Operation Denton, part of the UK Kenova review. Operation Denton is an analytical review by the independent Kenova Investigation Team into the activities of a group of individuals known as the Glenanne Gang in Northern Ireland. It includes in its terms of reference consideration of whether the review of the cases associated with the Glennane Gang suggests that there were wider issues of collusion beyond those already established.

In 2022, to deliver on the Government’s strong desire and that of An Garda Síochána to cooperate with Operation Denton to the maximum extent possible, my predecessor took extraordinary measures to create a dedicated co-operation mechanism to enable the identification and transfer of relevant Garda materials to Operation Denton. This assistance has been acknowledged, including by Sir Iain Livingstone, the head of the Kenova review, who referenced the high level of co-operation being received from An Garda Síochána and the ongoing support of the Irish Government.

The publication of Operation Denton's report is anticipated in the coming months. I sincerely hope that its findings will shed new light on the Dublin Airport Bombing.

I can assure the Deputy that the Government is fully committed to seeking out the truth behind this appalling event and other unresolved Troubles-related incidents in this jurisdiction. This is reflected in the Programme for Government which clearly states that we will “Play our full part in legacy processes and address the legacy of the conflict in this jurisdiction.”

As the Deputy will be aware, the Government at its meeting on 1 October formally approved the Joint Framework on the Legacy of the Troubles agreed with the British Government and announced on 19 September last. As part of this, the Government has committed to facilitating the cooperation of the relevant Irish authorities with the UK Legacy Commission, once established, to the fullest extent possible. The UK Government also commits to reciprocal cooperation by the UK authorities with investigations, inquests and inquiries on the same basis and in the same spirit.

As recognised in the Joint Framework investigations into Troubles-related incidents should be victim-centred. To further support this objective, the Garda Commissioner has committed to the establishment by the end of this year of a dedicated unit as a central point of contact for victims and families in relation to Troubles-related investigations undertaken by An Garda Síochána. An Garda Síochána has also committed, where possible, to endeavour to answer questions that a family may have in relation to the investigation of a Troubles-related incident and provide a report to the family.

The provision of a family report may not prejudice an ongoing criminal investigation or prosecution. I am committed to keeping these arrangements under review.

In conclusion, I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to seeking out the truth behind these appalling events. To that end both the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, and I, will continue to raise unresolved legacy cases with the British Government and highlight the need for their authorities to cooperate with processes in this jurisdiction.