Stardust Fire

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2015

Tuesday, 17 February 2015

Questions (307)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

307. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will confirm that the tragic Stardust fire disaster of 14 February 1981 is being re-examined by her Department. [6854/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I met with the Stardust Relatives' and Victims Committee in July of last year and this meeting provided an opportunity for me to hear their concerns at first hand. At that meeting representatives of the Committee set out, in some detail, their concerns in relation to the Inquiries into this matter that have been undertaken previously and some related financial issues that have arisen.

Following that meeting, I appointed an official in my Department to liaise with the Committee and they have engaged with representatives of the Committee in relation to these matters. With regard to the question of any new evidence that might warrant the consideration of a further inquiry, two reports compiled by a researcher associated with the Committee were submitted to my Department since my meeting with the Committee. However, subsequently the researcher concerned requested the return of these reports; my Department complied with this request. My Department has requested that the decision to withdraw these reports be reconsidered so that the reports can be the subject of examination in my Department. There are ongoing communications between representatives of the Committee and my Department, and further material has been submitted to my Department as recently as this week; this material is being examined and a response will issue in the near future.

I wish also to inform the Deputy that allegations raised by the Stardust Relatives' and Victims Committee and their representatives in relation to certain matters are the subject of an ongoing investigation by An Garda Síochána. I am informed, by the Garda Commissioner, that this is a complex investigation and, you will understand, I cannot do anything that might cut across this investigation.