Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 January 2014
576. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will re-examine the Stardust fire tragedy based on the enclosed new evidence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3635/14]
View answer580. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider re-opening a new inquiry into the Stardust tragedy in view of new evidence presented at the Stardust committee's press conference of 20 January 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3759/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 576 and 580 together.
As I have previously indicated, nothing I have seen in the extensive correspondence from the Stardust Victims Committee to date would be grounds for my taking a different view to the conclusions set out in the Independent Examination by Mr. Paul Coffey, and endorsed in both Houses. That is, in the absence of any identified evidence, the most another inquiry could achieve would be another set of hypothetical findings, which would not be in the public interest.
I am aware from recent reported statements that the Committee intends to present a submission concerning the cause of the fire on the occasion of the forthcoming anniversary. Whether at that time, or at any other point, I will of course arrange for the examination as appropriate of any such submission, and for a response to issue to the Committee in due course. In saying this I should caution against raising unrealistic expectations about what can be achieved or appearing to suggest that the outcome of the Coffey examination can be set aside simply on the basis that his conclusions are not accepted by some.
