Vol. 478 No. 5
22 Mr. Callely asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the current position regarding communication with the British authorities in relation to Bloody Sunday; the progress, if any, in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11395/97]
As I indicated to the House on 13 March last, I discussed the issue of Bloody Sunday and the Government's assessment of the new material emerging on it and the Widgery Tribunal with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Sir Patrick Mayhew at the meeting of the Anglo-Irish intergovernmental conference on 12 March last. The issue is also being raised through the framework of the intergovernmental conference on an ongoing basis. I understand that the British Government's own assessment is also ongoing.
It is the Government's intention to present our conclusions to the incoming British Government when this assessment is complete. As I have previously outlined, it is vitally important that the new material emerging, and its significance in regard to both the conduct and the outcome of the Widgery Tribunal, be considered in a thorough and comprehensive manner. Throughout this assessment, Government officials have remained in close touch with the Blood Sunday relatives and their supporters. As both the Taoiseach and I have indicated previously, the Government do not wish to weaken in any way the significance of its assessment by pre-judging its outcome. Nor will the Government decide what options it may wish to pursue until our assessment is complete.
However, as I indicated to the House on 6 February last, it is my belief that the British Government which finally acknowledged in an unreserved way the wrong done on Bloody Sunday and seeks to meet the legitimate concerns of the Bloody Sunday relatives, will make a very significant contribution to the cause of peace in Northern Ireland and reconciliation throughout these islands.
