Micheál Martin
Question:409. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the actions that have been taken in respect of the Kingsmill massacre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23087/15]
View answerTuesday, 16 June 2015
Questions (409, 410)
Micheál Martin
Question:410. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she or her Department requested information that the Garda Síochána had on the Kingsmill massacre since a meeting with relatives of the victims of the massacre two months ago; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23088/15]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 409 and 410 together.
It has been the long-standing desire of the Government and the Garda Authorities to co-operate to the greatest degree possible under the law with the Northern Ireland Coroner's Inquest into the horrific murders of ten innocent people at Kingsmill, Co. Armagh by the Provisional IRA in January 1976.
The Garda Authorities have been engaged in an ongoing legal process to facilitate this co-operation in discussion with the Northern Ireland Coroner's Office. Particular legal issues arose in the process of the preparation of material by An Garda Síochána for transmission the Coroner. The Government identified a way forward to help provide a means to deal with some of the legal obstacles.
At is meeting last week the Government agreed these measures and also formally agreed that as much information as possible, in accordance with the law, should be provided to the inquest. I issued a Directive to the Garda Commissioner under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and I made Regulations under the Data Protection Act 1988, both of which I laid before the Oireachtas. The Directive and Regulations have facilitated the Garda Authorities and, accordingly, the process of transferring material to the Northern Ireland Coroner began last week.
The Garda Authorities will continue to work with the Northern Ireland Coroner to ensure that the greatest amount of material possible, in accordance with the law, can be provided in support of the Inquest.