Court Procedures.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 March 2007

Tuesday, 20 March 2007

Questions (124)

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

191 Mr. Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the background to subject matter and status of negotiations between the Government and the widow of a person (details supplied); if issues relating to the question of the person having acted on superior orders or with the knowledge of their superiors during the course of events that gave rise to the arms trial are involved; if an exoneration of the person has been sought; if such an exoneration has been sought, if it is expected to be granted; if a review of relevant files and other information is taking place for this purpose; if so, if it will be published; if all information relevant to this question is in the public domain; if not, when it is proposed to release such information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9947/07]

Written answers

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

I understand that the Programme Manager of the Department of the Taoiseach met recently with the widow of the person in question in relation to her late husband and matters associated with the Arms Trial. I further understand that notwithstanding a continuing reflection on the person's representations in the case, no official initiative in this case is anticipated.

In this respect, the events in question are a matter of public record. No finding of guilt was ever made in the Courts in relation to the person in question and, accordingly, the question of ‘exoneration' does not appear to arise.