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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 May 2011

Vol. 733 No. 1

Ceisteanna — Questions

Official Engagements

Micheál Martin

Question:

1 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach in view of his comments of 8 April 2011, that he would be discussing job creation with British Prime Minister David Cameron, if he will detail the outcome of discussions on this specific matter. [9867/11]

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

2 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach the issues he will discuss with Prime Minister Cameron when he meets him in Dublin during the visit of Queen Elizabeth to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10476/11]

Gerry Adams

Question:

3 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on his meeting with British Prime Minister David Cameron. [11454/11]

Joe Higgins

Question:

4 Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with Queen Elizabeth II. [11493/11]

Joe Higgins

Question:

5 Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his most recent talks with British Prime Minister Cameron. [11494/11]

Micheál Martin

Question:

6 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the issues that he discussed with the British Prime Minister David Cameron during the visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Ireland. [11595/11]

Micheál Martin

Question:

7 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will outline his discussions with Queen Elizabeth II during her recent visit here. [12827/11]

Micheál Martin

Question:

8 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the issues he has discussed with British Prime Minister Mr. David Cameron during the visit of Queen Elizabeth II. [12828/11]

Micheál Martin

Question:

9 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach his plans to personally update the families of the victims of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings following his meeting with British Prime Minister Mr. David Cameron. [12829/11]

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

33 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the issues that he discussed with British Prime Minister Cameron during his recent visit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12616/11]

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

34 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he discussed with Prime Minister Cameron the terms of the EU-IMF rescue package during the recent State visit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12617/11]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 9, inclusive, 33 and 34 together.

I held a wide ranging discussion with the British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron on 18 April in Downing Street. As I outlined in my reply to parliamentary questions in this House on 19 April, this included an exchange of views and experience in dealing with our economic problems. In that context, we discussed job creation as a critical part of economic recovery. The close economic ties between Ireland and the UK are well recognised. The UK is a major export market for Irish goods and services and vice versa.

As Members will be aware, the Government last week announced details of its jobs initiative, which has a major focus on tourism as a source of jobs and, in particular, the importance to us of the UK market with almost half of our overseas visitors coming from there. A number of measures which form part of this initiative, including the Tourism Marketing Fund, the 9% VAT rate for tourism related businesses, the suspension of the air travel tax and the common visa treatment with the UK are all designed to make Ireland a more attractive tourist destination, particularly in the UK, and to boost jobs in this industry.

I met with Prime Minister Cameron in Government Buildings on the evening of Wednesday, 18 May. Our discussions focused on the complete transformation of the relationship between Britain and Ireland in recent years. The closeness of that relationship has been demonstrated by the warmth with which the Queen has been received in this country.

We also discussed EU issues and our shared economic difficulties.

We had a discussion of legacy issues related to Northern Ireland, including the cases of Pat Finucane and the Dublin Monaghan bombings, which was the subject of an all-party motion of the House. The Tánaiste also raised the matter with the British Foreign Secretary, William Hague, when he met him last week. I understand the Tánaiste also met with Justice for the Forgotten on 12 May last and thoroughly discussed the issues with them. He indicated his willingness to maintain contact with them.

I welcomed Queen Elizabeth to Government Buildings last Wednesday. During our meeting we reflected on the strong relationship between our two countries and the historic nature of the visit by the Queen.

This was a truly historic occasion which marked a further strengthening and maturing of the bilateral relationship between our two countries.

I propose to call Deputies in the order in which their questions appear on the Order Paper. I call Deputy Micheál Martin.

I have tabled five questions and I will endeavour to be brief and concise and will summarise the five questions.

I will allow one supplementary and come back to Deputies again.

In advance of his meeting with the Prime Minister on 8 April, the Taoiseach said jobs would be a major part of the discussion. In the briefing after the meeting, there was no mention of jobs whatsoever. Before the meeting, the Government press office said it would be the first meeting of a diplomatic initiative concerning the European Union interest rate. Afterwards, the Taoiseach said it had never been part of a diplomatic initiative. In both instances, does the Taoiseach agree the less effort put into spinning in advance of meetings the better it would be in terms of clarity and accuracy?

Deputy Martin is a master of spin.

With regard to the visit of Queen Elizabeth ll, I agree with the Taoiseach's observation that it was an historic occasion which reflected very well on the country and on all involved in the organisation and facilitation of the visit. It illustrated the transformation of relationships between Ireland and Great Britain and between people of different traditions on the island of Ireland. Would the Taoiseach agree the gardaí, in particular, with the Defence Forces did an excellent job and stopped a tiny minority from spoiling an event which commanded almost universal support from our people, as was evidenced on the streets of Cork last Friday where there was a genuinely warm welcome? Would the Taoiseach agree his predecessor, the former Taoiseach Mr. Brian Cowen, deserves some credit for facilitating and agreeing to this historic visit while in office and that it was a testament to his commitment to building relations between Great Britain and Ireland?

At his meeting last week with the Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron, did the Taoiseach raise the filling of the vacant IMF post? It is reported that strong support is emerging for the candidacy of Christine Lagarde, with the support of the United Kingdom. I can understand the position of the Government with regard to that appointment. However, it is important that we make it clear that the policies on corporation tax that she may have adopted as a French finance minister, should not be reflected if she were to become managing director of the IMF. That would be important in terms of the IMF's historical position of wanting a sustainable recovery package and a sustainable financing package for Ireland.

Can the Taoiseach elaborate on the nature of his discussion with the Prime Minister on the Dublin and Monaghan bombings and the Prime Minister's response, specifically to the issue of releasing the files? There can be no justification for continuing to cover up these files.

Whatever is in them can be no worse than the conspiracy theories that have developed because of the failure to release them and the implied desire to keep them secret. That is now fuelling all sorts of conspiracy theories about the situation. Does the Taoiseach agree that only when this matter is addressed can the British Government reclaim the high moral ground over other groups which, I accept, have far more questions to answer?

The Deputy raises several issues. The question of jobs is central to the development and strengthening of the economies of both Ireland and Great Britain. In that context, the Deputy will be aware the British Prime Minister circulated a document at the Heads of Government meeting on the development of the Internal Market and the capacity of Europe to perform much better and more strongly in the area of job creation, whether in respect of competitiveness, the cutting out of red tape, bureaucracy and duplication, the cost of setting up businesses and the potential for further trading relationships between our two islands and internally within the European countries.

What was not at issue when we raised this previously was the specific question of a reduction in the interest rate on the British bilateral loan to Ireland. This was not an issue to be discussed and, while some media reports indicated it would become a central issue, it did not.

I agree and recognise, of course, that my predecessor, former Deputy Brian Cowen, was supportive of the invitation being extended by President McAleese to Queen Elizabeth. I agree that the people of Ireland responded magnificently in terms of their dignity, understanding and warmth of reception throughout the past week in respect of the visit of the Queen, the funeral of the late, lamented Deputy Garret FitzGerald and yesterday's occasion of the visit of the US President. I also agree that the agencies and bodies associated with these events did a remarkable job in very constrained circumstances regarding time and the pressure arising from one issue or another.

Those who tried to shame our nation with their activities leave a lot to be desired. The vast majority of the Irish people would make one feel proud to be from this country and stood up for our country in the way we would expect them to do. Protest is legitimate in any democracy and that protest should be peaceful. However, the actions of those who try to disrupt or carry out other activities leave a lot to be desired in respect of their Irishness. Everybody is entitled to engage in peaceful protest but not in the way some intended to do.

Individual Ministers will contact the agencies and organisations which played such an important part in the visit of the Queen, whether the local authorities, the Office of Public Works, the Department of Finance, the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Garda Síochána, the Army, the Civil Defence or the health agencies, including ambulance personnel and so on. From that point of view, everybody played their part and did a remarkable job. I commend them fully for that.

The question of the vacancy that now exists in the IMF was not discussed in any detail at the meeting with Prime Minister Cameron. This is a global position and, as the Deputy is aware, it has been held by a European candidate for some time. While it appears there is a strengthening position behind one candidate, that is not absolutely clear yet. A candidate from Turkey was nominated, or was at least mentioned as being a candidate for nomination, but withdrew. Whether it ends with Christine Lagarde being the only candidate, I cannot yet say, but the matter was not discussed in any detail at our meeting.

In respect of the Dublin-Monaghan bombings, as I undertook to the House, I raised this matter with the British Prime Minister, having raised it in London at the previous meeting. We are both of the view that the truth is absolutely essential in all of these cases. The Prime Minister himself raised the question of the inquiry into the Pat Finucane case. There is a recognition that what we do not want is to end up with a whole series of public inquiries. We need to examine how we might deal with this. There were some comments from Deputy Adams last week in respect of other incidents where information might be made available.

Mr. Justice Barron and Mr. McEntee SC went into this in considerable detail. The British Government is of the opinion the information it supplied is all the relevant information it intends to supply.

All it intends to supply.

I do not have the authority to instruct that Government to supply information in other files. I am sure the Deputy raised the matter when he was in the Department of Foreign Affairs.

I would like to think, as I gave an undertaking to the House, that we will continue to work in this area. The Tánaiste met the Justice for the Forgotten group and explored this issue in some detail. As a Government, we will continue to work with the British Government to see if there is other, further information that might and should be made available. In that context we discussed several cases but did not get around to discussing the Nelson case, the subject of a report just issued.

Setting aside the fanfare and celebrations surrounding the Queen's visit, and following some commentary in newspapers on Sunday about what one might term the deeper political subtext to the meeting with the Prime Minister, Mr. Cameron, and the two State visits in general, it has been suggested there is a tactical or strategic shift taking place in our policy — towards the Anglo-American rather than the Franco-German axis — in the hope of putting a little pressure on the European authorities to relax the terms of the EU-IMF deal. I hope the Taoiseach will comment, and state whether it was the thinking of Government that such was part of the rationale behind the visit.

If that is the case, will the Taoiseach agree with me that this thinking is misplaced and misguided? Although there have been some criticism and comments on the part of the IMF about the unsustainability of the deal, the loan agreement, the EU-IMF package and the need to ease up in that regard, the fact is that these two factions of the global establishment are agreed that ordinary working people, the citizens of this country, should pay off the gambling debts of the banks of private financial institutions. An interest rate reduction of one percentage point here or there is not really the point; the whole deal is unfair and unsustainable. That is what we should have raised with the Prime Minister Mr. David Cameron. If I heard it correctly, I am surprised the Taoiseach stated he did not discuss this matter with the Prime Minister. Surely the most pressing issue facing this country is the unsustainable debt burden which has been loaded on the backs of people in the interests of paying off bankers and bondholders. Is that not what we should mention to Mr. David Cameron, the IMF, and to President Barack Obama, if the allegations made by Professor Morgan Kelly about the intervention of the President's Treasury Secretary, Timothy Geithner, in vetoing proposals to burn the unguaranteed bondholders are correct? Should we not state that we cannot pay the gambling debts of bankers?

In regard to the Dublin-Monaghan bombings, the Taoiseach stated that he spoke with the Prime Minister about the issue but it is not clear from his response what the Prime Minister will do about it. A very simple request was made by Justice for the Forgotten. A unanimous motion was passed in the Dáil Chamber to the effect the relevant files should be released. Could the Taoiseach tell us, on foot of the simple request that the files in the possession of the British Government relating to the Dublin-Monaghan bombings should be released, whether the Prime Minister, Mr. Cameron, is giving us and the families a commitment on the matter? It is a simple matter and does not require bringing in other, wider issues involving truth commissions and so on. It is a simple, straightforward request. The families deserve justice and the truth. Will the Prime Minister, Mr. Cameron, give them the truth and release the files?

That is a pretty long question.

It was shorter than Deputy Martin's.

I had five questions.

I believe I saw the Deputy in the GPO at one of those peaceful protests during the past week. There is no subtext or conspiracy theory such as the Deputy has put forward. The Government is perfectly entitled to foster strengthened relationships between ourselves and the British Government and between the two countries, as we do with the American people and the American Government and as we continue to do with our colleagues in Europe. There is no strategic or axis shift of the kind which the Deputy has put forward. The British Treasury has been supportive in general of Ireland's position. There was no discussion about the interest rate on the bilateral loan extended from Britain. Perhaps the Deputy did not hear that clearly. There was no discussion about that nor was it intended that there should be.

On the question of dealing with the IMF and the EU and such matters, Ireland has always been central to the European process and we continue to be central to the European process. We continue to make our case for the expansion of European trade within the context of the Single Market and its potential. As the Deputy is aware, we continue to negotiate with our colleagues at a European level about the conditions and the extent of the improvements that might be made on the IMF-EU bailout deal.

The Deputy asked a question in respect of the Prime Minister, Mr. Cameron, and the Dublin-Monaghan bombings. I was a party to the all-party motion in the House and I support that motion. However, I am not in control of the British Government or its files on any matter. As I stated to Deputy Martin, we will continue to raise the matter with the British Government in the interests of truth. Mr. Justice Barron and Mr. MacEntee went into this matter in considerable detail. There is an all-party motion published by the House of which we are supportive and which we will continue to raise. As late as last week, the Tánaiste met with Justice for the Forgotten, the members of which have been clear and straightforward in their views. We do not control any other Government's right to produce information or otherwise. I am keen that the truth be made known in all of these things. Last week, I commended Deputy Adams on his indication that information might be forthcoming in respect of several other incidents.

I commend the Taoiseach on the way he represented the people of this State and his Office during these visits, go háirithe i rith thórraimh Garret FitzGerald. Rinne an Taoiseach jab an-mhaith agus déanaim comhghairdeas leis faoi sin. I wish to concentrate my remarks on the Dublin-Monaghan bombings. We are calling on the British Government to allow access by an independent, international judicial figure to all original documents held by the British Government which were sought by Mr. Justice Barron. What is the purpose? It is to assess these documents with the aim of assisting in the resolution of these crimes. The British Government admits that it has files which it has not handed over. What possible reason can it have for not handing over files, especially now, as the Taoiseach has asserted, there has been a complete transformation of relationships between Ireland and Britain? What possible reason is there?

The Taoiseach has heard me state previously that although much progress has been made and we have all worked towards it, we will not have a complete transformation until the partition of the island has ended. This party represents people, including people in the North, who have suffered grievously and who seek a complete transformation of the relationship as well. There are legacy issues and the Dublin-Monaghan bombings is one of them. The bombing of Kay's Tavern in my constituency of Louth is another. I am pleased that the case of Mr. Pat Finucane is now being discussed with the British Government. These issues will continue to fester because people do not have closure. I have already acknowledged that there is a job for all of the combatant forces to assist in a process of truth recovery now the war, thankfully, is over. I know the Taoiseach does not have responsibility for the British Government, and I know there are difficulties getting the British Government to do things to face up to these matters, but recently Mr. William Hague MP allowed for an inquiry into British Government actions during the Mau Mau campaign, allowing for files relating to it to be opened. The files on these matters are there, the families have asked for them and the Oireachtas has voted for them. What did David Cameron say? Did he say "No"? If he indicated a negative response, did the Taoiseach say that we accepted that or did not accept it?

The issue of funding for Justice for the Forgotten is an issue that falls under the Taoiseach's authority. It is incomprehensible that the group is not funded. The money in question would be a pittance in comparison to the money that has been given to the banks.

The case of Ms Rosemary Nelson is very important. She was an officer of the court and a human rights lawyer, a person who tried to use the law — I knew her — to bring justice to victims and the people of the Garvaghy Road. That report was spun by the British Secretary of State, Mr. Owen Patterson, in a way that does not reflect any sense of a new relationship between the people of these islands and to which the family of Ms Rosemary Nelson objected.

Will the Taoiseach respond to these issues? Until the legacy issues are resolved, they will continue to undermine the work we have all done to bring about the complete transformation he mentioned.

On the case of Ms Rosemary Nelson, I note the Secretary of State apologised on behalf of the British state and the Chief Constable apologised on behalf of the police. I recall discussions about the late Ms Rosemary Nelson here but, on the publication of the report, our thoughts should be with her husband Paul and her children. She was a human rights lawyer and her work centred on rights and the law, which was critical.

We can focus our debate on Dublin and Monaghan. It was not a case of a "Yes" or "No" answer. It is a case of raising an issue I indicated at my first meeting with the Prime Minister would become an issue on the arrival of the Queen here. I undertook on behalf of Deputy Martin to raise it and I did so. We discussed a number of cases, including the Pat Finucane case.

Rather than giving an indication that we will proceed down a road of repeating public inquiries, we should look at several options and list those cases and incidents where some progress might be made. Many of these were quite a number of years ago, as the Deputy is well aware. It is true that for those involved who lost loved ones in particular, closure is never brought until facts and the truth are known. Many of these cases are sensitive and difficult. As far as I am concerned, I do not have access to whatever files there are, or information about their contents, nor do I have the authority to divulge them. On behalf of the Government and the people, and on foot of the motions that have been passed by this House, I will continue to work in the light of transformed relationships between our two islands with the British Government about this and related matters.

Did it occur to the Taoiseach at all that the political establishment in this State, and the established media, lost their collective reason over the past week and seemed to have lost all touch with reality, with the intoxication of the visits by high profile establishment figures, the Queen and the Prime Minister of Britain and President Obama?

Is it not clear that all elements of the establishment investigated meanings and significance into these visits that went way beyond reality and that it was done as a convenient distraction from the disaster inflicted by that self-same establishment in its various components on our people, with disastrous economic consequences? Has the Taoiseach an estimate of the costs of these visits? What on earth are we going to do with all the steel barriers that would stretch from Dublin to Castlebar and back many times? Will he consider erecting them along the east coast to perhaps prevent further invasions by the EU-IMF and so for once give them a useful use for the people?

The Taoiseach correctly said he is not in control of the British Government but he is in control of the Irish Government and therefore responsible for the critical issues of our economy. Is the Taoiseach seriously telling the House that he did not discuss with Prime Minister Cameron the interest rate on the loan of the British Government to Ireland following the disastrous financial crisis, that he did not discuss the issue of the interest rate set down by the EU-IMF and ECB? Did the Taoiseach lobby Britain to support a sharp reduction in those interest rates? Did he discuss the grip of the bondholders on this country and the fact that they should be burned? If he did not discuss these issues, what was the meeting about in terms of economic issues because these are among the most critical issues we face?

One of these days the Deputy might find something positive in what happens in our country. One of these days he might reflect on the pride our people feel in being Irish in welcoming the Queen of England and the American President in the context of what these visits can do for our respective countries, for our economy, for our people and for jobs. He might reflect on that and he might some time actually break through his own collective reason and recover it. He used to have it years ago when he was Member of a previous Dáil.

I did not discuss with the Prime Minister the question of the interest rate on the bilateral loan from Britain and I have made that clear. I discussed with him the question of the reduction of the interest rate on the European end of that loan because it is all part of the one package. I also explained to him — of which he was aware because he was at the meeting — that responsibility had been devolved down to the Minister for Finance to continue negotiations and this work is ongoing. The question of the interest rate for the IMF-EU package was discussed and I explained that to him.

As to Deputy Higgins's comments about meaning and significance and disaster, I do not have the final cost of the visits of the Queen and the American President but this information will be given to the House when it is compiled. The barricades to which the Deputy referred could also go to Dingle, which he knows attracts many tourists and which I hope will attract more as a consequence of both of these visits. I advise him not to be downhearted as there is a bright future ahead for our country and I hope some day the Deputy will realise this and participate in the pride and good feeling of our people when they see we are making progress.

Deputies

Hear, hear.

I know he can be helpful in this regard.

Deputy Higgins used to have a sense of joy.

The Taoiseach is saying that he did not discuss with the Prime Minister the single issue that the Prime Minister controls, the interest rate on that debt.

Just a moment, I ask the Deputy to please resume his seat.

That is incredible.

The Deputy should please resume his seat.

It is part of the three-country bilateral loan to Ireland.

It has been provided in the bigger context of the IMF-EU deal, which we discussed.

The Taoiseach did not discuss the only issue that the Prime Minister could determine.

Sorry, Deputy——

One of the jobs of a Minister——

I ask the Taoiseach not to encourage Deputy Higgins.

The Ceann Comhairle should not encourage the Taoiseach.

What about the Dingle remark?

Before I allow a further supplementary question from each Deputy, I remind Deputies that Question Time is not about imparting information — it is about seeking information.

Deputies

Hear, hear.

There should be no Second Stage speeches.

We are trying to get answers.

I will allow each Deputy who has tabled a question in this group to ask a supplementary question seeking information.

There are 11 questions in this group, five of which are in my name.

I appreciate the Ceann Comhairle's decision to facilitate the asking of a supplementary question.

God bless the advisers.

I will concentrate on two issues. I find it incredible that the Taoiseach did not raise the question of the interest rate on the bilateral loan with Great Britain. I simply want to ask the Taoiseach why he did not raise the possibility of a reduction. Given that we are raising this issue across Europe — there is a consistency between the two matters — it would seem like a logical thing to do. If our near neighbours were to respond to our request to reduce the interest rate, it would send a strong signal. Can the Taoiseach tell the House why he did not pursue this specific bilateral issue with Britain?

I would like to refer to the Taoiseach's comments on the inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. I must say I am very disappointed with the response. In his original reply, the Taoiseach said — he can correct me if I am wrong — that the British Prime Minister told him the British authorities have supplied all the information they intend to supply. That means "No", basically.

Sorry, Deputy——

I am asking the Taoiseach if he agrees that the Prime Minister has, in essence, refused the request of the Taoiseach and Dáil Éireann that the files be released to enable the inquiry to proceed and the truth to be established. Did he tell the British Prime Minister that his position and that of the British Government is unacceptable and is fuelling conspiracy theories about what actually happened? As this event was the single greatest atrocity of the Troubles — the one in which the largest number of people were killed — it is unacceptable that these files are not being released. Did the Taoiseach put it to Prime Minister Cameron that his commendable response to the findings of the Bloody Sunday inquiry had an enormous impact——

The Deputy should ask a supplementary question

——on the streets of Derry and the streets of this country? Did he suggest that a similar move in the case of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings would get the same response from the people of this island? People like the representatives of Justice for the Forgotten and the relatives and families are entitled to that at this stage. I get a sense from the Taoiseach's weak reply that he is washing his hands of the issue.

It seems that a certain lip-service is being paid to the motion that was unanimously passed by the Dáil.

Is the Deputy asking a question?

I am indeed because it is a very important issue.

The Deputy was a Minister for a long time, so he knows exactly what I am speaking about.

I know well indeed.

Please respect the Chair.

As a senior politician, the Deputy knows exactly what I am talking about.

I would have thought I was respecting the Chair.

It is almost 3.10 p.m.

The Deputy is a former Minister for Foreign Affairs.

I have asked the question so we can get on with it.

This is a serious matter.

The central point at issue here is the fact that this country is in an IMF-EU bailout deal. The country did not go into this in a voluntary capacity. The previous Government repeatedly denied that we were approaching that cliff. Significant negotiations are required to try to undo the interest rate negotiated by the previous Government.

Deputies

Hear, hear.

That is not the truth.

The first point of discussion and negotiation, which has been devolved from the Heads of Government to the Ministers for Finance, will have to bring about an improvement in that situation. That work is still going on.

What about the bilateral loan?

The point that needs to be made with regard to the bilateral loan that was given by the British Government and two other Governments to Ireland is that the British Treasury has been supportive of Ireland on more than one occasion. The British authorities granted a bilateral loan at an early stage. We should continue to work to improve the IMF-EU situation, as a first port of call, before we look at the question of any further concession in respect of the bilateral loan from Britain. This is all part of the bigger picture left by the previous Government on which we are working. I never intended to raise the issue at my meetings with the Prime Minister.

It is beneath Deputy Martin to say we intend to wash our hands or pay lip service to those who died in the Dublin and Monaghan bombings or any other bombings in respect of information that may be made available. I do not know the extent of files that exist or the information in those files. Deputy Martin was told by the British Government that the information it supplied was all it intended to supply. He did not say "No" at that stage and nor will I do so. As I said, in the transformed relationships that now exist between our two Governments and countries we will continue to work in this area of sensitivity, not only in respect of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings but also on a long list of other cases. The Prime Minister was very strong in his apology arising from the Saville inquiry which, as Deputy Martin knows, cost more than €200 million. While it is difficult to put a price on the truth, the Government is committed. Far from paying lip-service or washing our hands, we will continue to work with the British Government. I reminded the Prime Minister that the House has, on more than one occasion, put together all-party recommendations seeking the release of information and in a number of other areas.

As only three minutes are available to us, I ask Deputies to ask a brief supplementary question, after which I will ask the Taoiseach to reply.

I put it to the Taoiseach that his response has confirmed what he described as my conspiracy theory, which was nothing more than commentary in the Sunday newspapers. Perhaps he was too busy to read the newspapers at the weekend. While I am open to correction, the Taoiseach appears to have indicated he did not discuss with the British Government the interest rate on the bilateral loan. I asked him previously about the——

The Deputy should ask a brief supplementary question.

I am seeking clarification from the Taoiseach.

There is no point in the Deputy repeating what he has been told. He should ask a supplementary question.

I have not been given a clear answer.

The Deputy did not ask a question.

The Taoiseach did not discuss the alleged intervention of Timothy Geithner on the issue of burning bondholders. If, as he informed the House, he only discussed the terms of the IMF-EU deal, is it not the case that we are grovelling before the United States and Britain in the hope——

Does the Deputy have a question?

——that we may obtain a small change in the interest rate on the IMF-EU deal?

Will the Deputy please put a question?

Is that not a pathetic approach when we should be pointing out that Britain and, it appears, the United States and European Union——

Other Deputies are waiting to ask a supplementary question. Will the Deputy stop making a speech and put a question?

——are all enforcing the gambling debts of bankers across Europe, including British bankers, on the backs of ordinary people in this country?

The Taoiseach did not answer my question about funding for Justice for the Forgotten. While I fully accept that many other deaths must be dealt with, the specific question that arises in this respect is what the Government intends to do to press issues of collusion and killings in this State, including the killing of one of our party colleagues, Councillor Eddie Fullerton. What is the position regarding funding for Justice for the Forgotten?

The loan the British Government extended to the Irish State for its own clear economic and selfish reasons is set at a relatively high interest rate over which Prime Minister Cameron has complete control. Why did the Taoiseach not discuss a reduction of this interest rate when he met the Prime Minister?

The bilateral loan interest rate is linked to the IMF-EU rate, which is the focus of our attention. One rate has an impact on the other and being good, practical people, we focus on the main area of attention, namely, the element of the IMF-EU deal that Heads of Government devolved to Ministers for Finance to deal with. It has a consequence for bilateral interest rates.

The Government intends to work with the British Government on a range of issues. I will write to Deputy Adams on this matter shortly because it is not one to be dealt with in isolation or as a single issue. It is sensitive and highly personal and closure does not come until the facts and truth emerge. This is one of a long litany that needs to be dealt with. It is a case of determining what is the best thing to do.

In so far as the information on any files held by the British Government is concerned we will continue to work in that area, as has gone on for quite a number of years, to see if we can make progress. We have had our endorsements from the Oireachtas, including from all parts of this House, and I have said that to the British Prime Minister. That is not new and we will continue to work on that area.

And the funding issue, Taoiseach.

I will examine that question and come back to the Deputy on it.

That completes Taoiseach's Questions for today.

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