Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 October 2020
135. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the outcome of recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the UK Foreign Secretary on the Dublin-Monaghan bombings of 1974 and the need for a full investigation with access to UK files and papers pertaining to the atrocities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28449/20]
View answerThis year marked the 46th anniversary of the appalling attacks of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings in which 33 people were murdered. The Government stands in solidarity with all those who lost loved ones or were injured on that day.
The implementation of the All-Party Dáil motions relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings is a priority for the Government, as highlighted in the Programme for Government. The All-Party motion on the 1974 Dublin Monaghan bombings adopted by the Dáil on 25 May 2016 has, like those adopted in 2008 and 2011, been conveyed to the British Government. These motions call on the British Government to allow access by an independent, international judicial figure to all original documents relating to the Dublin Monaghan bombings.
The Government will continue to seek the full truth of these appalling attacks, and some measure of closure for those affected. We have consistently raised the issue with the British Government on a bilateral basis, including at the British-Irish Inter-Governmental Conference.
I have made clear to my counterparts that the absence of a response from the British Government is of deep concern to the Government, and that there remains a pressing need for a response.
The Government welcomed the announcement by the PSNI on 30 November 2019 that former Chief Constable Jon Boutcher will head an Independent Police Team to conduct an analytical report on the Glenanne Gang series of cases. We will be supportive of facilitating this investigation, subject to the requirements of the law, as we have other investigative processes in Northern Ireland, in relation to the attacks that were, or may have been, linked to the Glenanne Gang and other cases from the Troubles.
The Government will continue to engage with the British Government on this request, at senior political level and in official level engagement by my Department, to pursue all possible avenues to achieve progress on this issue, consistent with the request made by this House and until a satisfactory resolution is found.
