Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 May 2014
30. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has been in contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland following her decision to reject the request of the families of 11 persons who were murdered in the Ballymurphy massacre for the establishment of a review panel to assess the evidence relating to the massacre. [20571/14]
View answerI spoke with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 29 April to discuss this important matter. I expressed disappointment at her decision not to appoint a Hillsborough-style panel to review the Ballymurphy cases. I informed the Secretary of State that the families were very disappointed with her response. I recalled that the Taoiseach wrote to and then raised the matter directly with Prime Minister Cameron at their meeting on 11 March 2014. I also informed the Secretary of State that absent agreement on a new model for contending with the past, a poorly functioning HET and a severely backlogged Coroner’s Court, that in the Government’s view we should support reasonable and considered requests such as that made by the Ballymurphy families. I recalled that the Northern Ireland Executive Parties and both governments agree about the importance of addressing the needs of all victims.
I note the Secretary of State’s decision not to initiate a review of the La Mon case and wish to also recall at this time the suffering of the families of those killed and injured in that dreadful atrocity. Incidents such as Ballymurphy and La Mon must be dealt with. There is an urgent need for a comprehensive framework for dealing with the legacy of the past and the needs of those who have lost family members to violence must be to the forefront of that process.
