Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2014
457. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had any recent discussions with the Secretary State for Northern Ireland or with the British Foreign Secretary regarding the motions passed by Dáil Éireann in 2008 and 2011 regarding to the Dublin-Monaghan bombings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49070/14]
View answerI have raised the Dublin and Monaghan bombings and the question of the British Government providing access to relevant documents on a number of occasions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Theresa Villiers. She has assured me that she would reflect afresh on what the British Government could do to respond. She confirmed to me in July that the matter was being given active consideration in London.
The need to establish a fair, balanced and comprehensive framework for dealing with the past is currently under discussion at the political talks in Belfast convened by the British and Irish Governments. The Government continues to believe that a framework for dealing with the past that better meets the needs of victims and survivors, while also contributing to the peace and reconciliation agenda, is an urgent requirement.
