I propose to take Oral Question No.10, Priority Question No. 30 and Written Question No. 41 together.
As I informed the Dáil on 24 June 1986, I have personally raised the case of the Birmingham Six with the British Home Secretary, Mr. Hurd, earlier this year. The present position is that the case is being reviewed within the Home Office, a process which is still under way. The publication of new evidence in Chris Mullins's book "Error of Judgement" has delayed the completion of this review. I hope that a decision may be made before too long to refer the case to the Court of Appeal. I have also raised with the Home Secretary the case of the Guildford Four. This case was the subject of a television documentary last July, following which the Home Office announced its intention to look at the issue again
On the case of the Maguire Family and others, I have written to the Home Secretary asking him to keep the question of referral of this case to the Court of Appeal under active consideration. I understand that the Home Secretary has agreed to examine the case further. An all-party delegation travelled to London on 16 October to meet Mr. Hurd and I understand were informed during discussions that the Home Office now intends to examine the issue once more.
With regard to all these cases, I view with deep concern the doubts which have been widely publicised recently regarding the evidence on which the convictions were based. The latest book by Robert Kee Trial and Error has added to these doubts. We shall continue to stress in contacts with the British Government authorities the urgent need to ensure that justice be seen to be done in the light of the latest revelations and expressions of concern from many different quarters.