Seán Ryan
Question:15 Mr. Ryan asked the Taoiseach if he will outline his proposals for the construction of a memorial park on Glin Road, Coolock, Dublin 5 in memory of the victims of the Stardust disaster.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Stardust Memorial.
Richard Bruton
Question:116 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will outline the Government's attitude to the project being sponsored by the Stardust Relations Committee for the creation of a memorial park and complex in memory of the young people who lost their lives.
I propose to take Question No. 15 and written Question No. 116 together.
I have always supported the idea of a suitable memorial to the Stardust victims and a courtyard in Beaumont Hospital has been dedicated to their memory.
On Thursday last, 14 February, I met with the Stardust committee who presented me with proposals for a memorial garden at Glin Road, Coolock. I indicated my support for a suitable memorial but on a greatly reduced scale.
I welcome the belated commitment here this afternoon. Did the Taoiseach meet representatives of the Stardust relatives committee prior to the last general election and did he give a commitment about this memorial? Why has the Taoiseach not met that commitment up to this time?
It would be most inappropriate for the Deputy to start meddling in this way or to attempt to create any form of "aggro" about this matter. I have the best possible relations with the Stardust committee and have had over the years. I met them frequently and between us we were instrumental in having a memorial which is at present in Beaumont Hospital. There has always been a proposal for some other memorial. I met the Stardust Committee from time to time and have always explained to them that some of the ideas put forward for a very extravagantly priced memorial were not suitable. That is the state of affairs. If the Deputy just leaves it to me and the Stardust committee we will resolve the matter satisfactorily. While I am at it, here, I wish to pay tribute to the previous Attorney General who tackled very generously the principal matter of concern to the Stardust families and relatives, that is, the question of compensation.
That is a big change.
It is not a big change. I always said it.
I acknowledge the role of the previous Attorney General in that field. I am pleased that the Taoiseach gave a commitment following the meeting last Thursday that this memorial will be provided. Will the Taoiseach give a commitment this afternoon that the people on the ground will see a start to this memorial and all-weather playing pitch, prior to the summer?
I really wish the Deputy would not start playing politics with this matter.
Deputies
Hear, hear.
The Stardust has been a big enough searing tragedy for everybody in that area and the people involved are just beginning to recover their equilibrium and emotional stability. Perhaps the Deputy would leave it alone and let me and the Stardust committee deal with it from here on, on the basis of the very amicable relationship we have.
Deputy Pat McCartan.
A Cheann Comhairle——
Sorry, Deputy McCartan, I observe Deputy Richard Bruton on his feet. The Deputy has tabled a question in respect of this matter so he must have priority.
Bearing in mind that the relatives very much welcome the Taoiseach's commitment to this project and their anxiety to see further details produced at an early date, will the Taoiseach say if it will be financed entirely from Government funds, how the Taoiseach proposes to advance the project in co-operation with the relatives' committee and what he feels will be a realistic likely starting date for this project.
I cannot give the Deputy too much information about those various matters. The Deputy will know from his experience of the situation that Dublin Corporation are likely to be involved. Perhaps I can arrange to keep the Deputy, Deputy McCartan and others informed of progress as we proceed in this matter.
I have to say on behalf of the committee that they would be somewhat bemused by the Taoiseach's suggestion that they are being extravagant in view of the fact that they had to picket outside the Taoiseach's offices in the last week to draw the Taoiseach's attention to their needs. Does the Taoiseach appreciate that the efforts of the committee now are to ensure that there is some lasting memorial, of use in particular to the youth of the area which this tragedy most affected? Will the Taoiseach accept that since the committee first met him on this matter they substantially scaled down their proposals to the extent that they have almost cut by two thirds what they originally suggested? At this stage the committee have met the Taoiseach's representations in the matter and are seeking no more than an indication as to when work might commence.
I did not say that the committee were extravagant. I did not intend to imply anything of the sort. I just said that the proposals put forward originally, and as they still exist, are of a nature that we could not contemplate from the point of view of expenditure. I explained that to them and the representatives from the Stardust committee are quite prepared to consider any alternative reduced proposals. I cannot give the Deputy a precise date but we will get on with it as quickly as we can.
Finally——
A very brief question and then I am going on to another question. We have dealt adequately with this question.
As the committee have met with the corporation officials and there is general approval for the outline proposals they put forward, will the Taoiseach ensure that there is an early meeting with the corporation to discuss what is feasible so that the committee who are expecting to hear from the Taoiseach within days rather than longer on the matter, might be advised at the earliest possible time?
Question No. 16.
I asked a question.
I am not sure what the gist of it is.
I am asking if the Taoiseach would arrange a meeting as early as possible with the corporation to finalise the plans so that the project can proceed.
The corporation will have an input into it. If the corporation are prepared to put up the funds there is no problem.
It is the corporation's property. They are providing the site.
I know.
Let us be quite clear about this. The Taoiseach's office is being looked to——
Deputy McCartan, let us proceed in orderly fashion now.
——for the funding necessary to start this project.
Let us proceed in orderly fashion.
I am seeking to clarify this so that there is no doubt either in the Taoiseach's mind or in the minds of other Members of the House that there is one single issue outstanding, that is, that some funding——
Deputy McCartan, there is a procedure in this House that when the Chair stands the Deputy in possession resumes his seat.
Sorry.
A Cheann Comhairle——
I am calling Deputy Paddy Harte.
The Taoiseach in his reply mentioned a former Attorney General. I would like if the Taoiseach would be gracious enough — not that he has been anything less than gracious — to put the name of the Attorney General on the record of the House because he deserves credit from the Taoiseach.
Everybody knows who it was. It was Attorney General Rogers.
The most relevant thing the Taoiseach said was that the corporation can proceed if they have the money. The fact is that they have not got the money and they require a commitment from the Taoiseach's office and the Government that money will be made available to allow the corporation to proceed with this scheme. That commitment is required here this afternoon.
It is not required here this afternoon.