asked the Taoiseach, in view of his agreement to meet a representative or a delegation from the Guildford Four Committee, the reason the meeting has not yet taken place; if he will give a firm indication of a date for the meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Guildford Four Committee Meeting.
2.
A meeting arranged for the latter part of last year had to be deferred for personal reasons.
If, after the decision of the British Home Secretary to refer the Guildford Four case to the Court of Appeal, a meeting is still required this can be arranged at any time.
On behalf of the committee I am putting on record their appreciation and indeed the appreciation of everyone concerned with these cases of the work of the Taoiseach's Department and of the Department of Foreign Affairs in this regard. Nevertheless, the committee are disappointed that they have not——
A question, please.
——yet had an opportunity to meet. Will the Taoiseach urgently arrange a meeting and confirm that the Department and indeed the Taoiseach will be available to meet a delegation of the committee at the earliest opportunity?
As the Deputy knows, this is an ongoing matter. In fact, I had very informally arranged to meet one individual who subsequently changed his mind and suggested that I should meet other people. Then, when I arranged to meet the other people, that fell through. I am available to meet them, as is the Tánaiste, at any time that would appear to be useful. I did feel, however, that because of the decision of the Home Secretary, perhaps they were not pressing for a meeting as much as they had been but that is a matter for them.
Doubtless the decision of the Home Secretary constitutes a major advance but the committee are anxious for the Taoiseach to meet a delegation of the relatives because there are ongoing and other issues involved.