Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Jun 2003

Vol. 568 No. 1

Written Answers. - Tribunals of Inquiry.

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

648 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has satisfied himself that the victims of the Stardust fire in Artane were treated in a just manner; and his views on the major concerns regarding the cause of the fire and the use of the electrical equipment. [15251/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

As the Deputy will be aware, in the immediate aftermath of the Stardust fire, the Government of the day announced its intention to appoint a tribunal of inquiry to hold a public inquiry into the disaster. Subsequently, pursuant to a resolution of both Houses of the Oireachtas, the Government established the tribunal of inquiry. I understand the tribunal presented its report to the Minister for the Environment on 30 June 1982. In addition, the then Government established the Stardust Victims Compensation Tribunal to assess and make ex gratia payments in respect of personal injury and loss attributable to the fire at the Stardust. The compensation tribunal made 823 awards and all awards made were accepted.

The Deputy will also be aware that recently representatives from my Department, the Department of Health and Children and the Department of the Environment and Local Government held a number of meetings with representatives of the Stardust Victims Committee, at which the committee indicated that it would be forwarding a document to my Department which would outline new evidence in relation to the cause of the fire. My Department awaits receipt of this document.