Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 December 2015
330. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality why the associated researchers of the Stardust tragedy have not been given recognition in the Stardust submission; when the final submission will be released in accordance with transparency and accountability guidelines (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42761/15]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, following my meeting with the Stardust Victims Committee last year I appointed an official in my Department to liaise with them in relation to matters about which they have expressed concern.
A researcher associated with the Committee submitted material relating to these events to my Department and a meeting was held with them and another researcher associated with the Committee, on 23 April this year. Following an examination of the material presented, a draft preliminary analysis was prepared in my Department and this draft was issued to the Committee in July of this year. The Committee were invited to examine this draft analysis and provide any commentary they wished to make on it. The Committee's response to this draft analysis was provided by way of a presentation made by researchers associated with the Committee; this presentation was made on 30 September 2015. The views and materials presented at that meeting have now been examined in my Department and on 30 November further documentation was issued by my Department to the Committee in this connection; it is understood that the Committee will be responding to it in due course.
With regard to the concern expressed in relation to failure to give recognition to researchers associated with the Committee in any submissions, I can inform the Deputy that these researchers are mentioned by name in the most recent documentation issued to the Committee.
