Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 6 Feb 2003

Vol. 560 No. 5

Written Answers. - Northern Ireland Issues.

Joe Sherlock

Question:

50 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has received the report of the Nally inquiry into allegations that the gardaí withheld information from their counterparts in Northern Ireland which, it is claimed, might have helped to prevent the Omagh bombing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2921/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

On 6 January 2003 I was advised by the members of the group established to examine matters arising from the "Report raising concerns of the activity of An Garda Síochána officers during 1998" dated 22 March 2002, prepared by the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland for the Minister for Foreign Affairs that they had intended to submit their report to me before the end of 2002.

However, in early December it emerged that there were further lines of inquiry which the group felt should be pursued. In these circum stances the members of the group informed me that completion of their work would of necessity take more time than they had previously envisaged but that they would present their report as soon as possible.