JOINT COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE, EQUALITY, DEFENCE AND WOMEN’S RIGHTS debate -
Wednesday, 17 Nov 2004

Establishment of Sub-Committee: Motion.

Chairman

I, Seán Ardagh, TD, Chairperson of the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights, having been authorised by the committee to submit this report, do hereby present and publish a report of the committee entitled Interim Report on the Report of the Independent Commission of Inquiry into the Dublin Bombings of 1972 and 1973. This report was considered and adopted by the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights at its meeting held on 17 November 2004. The committee has decided to established a sub-committee to consider, including in public session, the report, and to report back to the joint committee in order that the joint committee can report back to the Houses of the Oireachtas within three months.

As part of the consideration of the report, the committee intends that the sub-committee will invite submissions from interested persons and bodies and hold public hearings, starting in January 2005, with a view to producing a final report on the matter. The report will detail any submissions received, the hearings held and such comments, recommendations and conclusions that the committee may decide to make and the said report will be published.

Can I have a proposer?

Mr. Costello

I propose the motion.

Mr. J. O’Keeffe

I second the motion.

Motion agreed to.

Chairman

The Interim Report on the report of the Independent Commission of Inquiry into the Dublin Bombings of 1972 and 1973 will be laid before the Houses this evening. Arrangements are being made for permission from the groups representing the victims and relatives that the report should be made available as soon as possible to all Members of the Oireachtas and published on the Oireachtas website from tomorrow. Some copies of the report will be made available to the media and others at a press conference that will start within the next few minutes. Applications for copies of the report by legal representatives of persons named in the report will be accommodated.

The joint committee would like to extend its sympathy to the victims and relatives of the victims of the 1972 and 1973 atrocities. We would also like to extend our thanks to Mr. Justice Henry Barron for meeting us today to assist us in our initial consideration of the report.

The joint committee adjourned at 5.50 p.m. sine die.