I move:
"That Dáil Éireann:
resolves that it is expedient that a tribunal be established under the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Acts, 1921 to 2002, to inquire into the following definite matter of urgent public importance:
the facts and circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting of John Carthy at Abbeylara Co. Longford on 20th April, 2000;
and to report to the Clerk of Dáil Éireann and to make such findings and recommendations as it sees fit in relation to these matters;
and further resolves that:
(I) the Tribunal shall report to the Clerk of the Dáil on an interim basis not later than four months from the date of establishment of the Tribunal and also as soon as may be after the tenth day of any oral hearings of the Tribunal on the following matters:
(a) the number of parties granted representation by the Tribunal,
(b) the progress which will then have been made in the hearings and work of the Tribunal,
(c) the likely duration (so far as might then be capable of being estimated) of the proceedings of the Tribunal,
(d) any other matters that the Tribunal considers should be drawn to the attention of the Houses of the Oireachtas at the time of the report (including any matters relating to its terms of reference);
(II) the inquiry shall be completed in as economical a manner as possible and at the earliest possible date consistent with a fair examination of the matters referred to it;
(III) all costs incurred by reason of the failure of individuals to co-operate fully and expeditiously with the Tribunal should, as far as it is consistent with the interests of justice and the provisions of the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Acts, 1921 to 2002, be borne by those individuals."
The purpose of the motion is to enable the establishment of a tribunal of inquiry to examine the facts and circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting of John Carthy at Abbeylara, County Longford on 20 April 2000. I thank the Members of the House for agreeing to deal with this matter at relatively short notice.
From the outset I have expressed the view that the tragic death of Mr. Carthy required detailed, open and transparent examination in a manner which addressed issues of public concern. Once the Director of Public Prosecutions decided that charges should not be preferred in the matter, I obtained the agreement of both Houses of the Oireachtas to refer the report of the Garda Commissioner into the fatal shooting to the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights for its consideration. That was done and the joint committee submitted the report to both Houses in the form of an interim report enabling it to be published and established a sub-committee to consider the report.