asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the findings of the Widgery Tribunal; and if he will indicate whether these findings are in accordance with the opinions of the Government regarding the Derry killings.
5.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Widgery Tribunal Report.
4.
asked the Taoiseach in view of the misrepresentation of facts contained in the Widgery report on Bloody Sunday in Derry whether it is proposed to take any steps to counteract any false impressions which may be created abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 and 5 together.
I refer the Deputies to my public statement on the matter on the 19th April, 1972.
Would the Taoiseach not now agree that he should have taken the initiative in asking an international body to look into this matter in the first place, as was suggested to him at that time?
The Deputy seems to forget facts very quickly, according as it suits his case. If the Deputy will look back on my statements in relation to Derry and in relation to the Widgery Report, I do not think he will find much missing from them.
The Taoiseach will admit that I suggested that perhaps he might take the initiative in setting up a body composed of international jurists and others to look into this matter. I suggested this to him originally and he did not take advantage of the suggestion.
The Deputy is aware that there is an international body set up before which the facts have been brought.
Can the Taoiseach now make a statement as to when some results may come from that?
I cannot.
Would the Taoiseach agree that the analysis of the report in The Sunday Times is a very telling indictment of the competence with which the report was handled?
I do not think it is for me to comment on newspaper reports.