Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Apr 2000

Vol. 518 No. 2

Written Answers. - Victims Commission.

Austin Currie

Question:

51 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the most recent occasion when he raised the issue of the disappeared with representatives of the republican movement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7772/00]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

As the Deputy will be aware, the Irish and British Governments established the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains in May 1999. The objective of the commission is to facilitate the location of the remains of victims of violence.

On the basis of information provided for the commission in the weeks following its establishment, the remains of three persons were recovered. Despite extensive excavations at a number of sites no further remains were discovered and the searches were suspended in the hope that further information of a character which would justify a resumption of the excavation work would be forthcoming. In the intervening period the commission held extensive consultations with intermediaries, An Garda Síochána and family members and announced on 29 March that sufficient additional information had been received to justify the resumption of limited searches at the various sites. These searches will resume shortly when the conditions at the sites are favourable.

Finally, I can confirm that this issue has been raised on several occasions during the course of contacts which have been ongoing with Sinn Féin representatives.