Monica Barnes
Ceist:74 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will consider the case being made by the Omagh Self-Help and Support Group (details supplied); and the steps, if any, he will take to assist them. [27754/98]
Written Answers. - Victims of Violence.
Proinsias De Rossa
Ceist:131 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the plans, if any, the Government has to provide financial or other specific aid to help Omagh and its people overcome the impact of the bomb. [21611/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 74 and 131 together.
In May of this year, prior to the Omagh outrage, the Government gave approval for a review of the services and arrangements in place to meet the needs of those who have suffered as a result of violent action associated with the conflict in Northern Ireland.
The former Tánaiste, Mr. John Wilson, accepted the invitation of my collegue, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy O'Donoghue, to carry out this important task on behalf of the Government. As the Taoiseach said in his statement on the Omagh bombing in the Dáil on 2 September, "the Government is always conscious of all the victims of violence. All our energies, and all our efforts are focused on trying to ensure that there are no more victims, no more tragedies".
Mr. Wilson, on an ongoing basis, is meeting with the victims and their relatives, with a view to assessing the services and arrangements available to meet their needs. It is expected that Mr. Wilson will report back to Government in early 1999.
It is intended that this report will then form the basis of a comprehensive and inclusive response to the needs of victims.
The Government would prefer to await the outcome of the proposals of the Victims Commission before deciding on any specific measures in support of victims of violence, either in Omagh or elsewhere.