Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 February 2013
227. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he raised the issue of the murder of human rights solicitor Pat Finucane at the December 2012 EU summit or in any of the bilateral meetings he held on the margins of the EU summit. [2332/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra230. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has been in contact with the British Secretary of State Theresa Villiers in relation to the recent publication of the De Silva Report into the murder of human rights solicitor Pat Finucane. [2325/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 227 and 230 together.
The Irish Government continues to seek an independent public inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane as committed to in the Weston Park Agreement; on the basis of the findings of Judge Cory on the likelihood of state collusion. The work undertaken by Desmond De Silva QC can facilitate this, in my opinion, by helping ensure that an independent public inquiry need not be lengthy, open-ended and inordinately expensive. As I said at the time, we must build on the progress made thus far.
I did not attend the EU Heads of State and Government Summit in December 2012, however, in my contacts with Secretary of State Villiers following the publication, I made clear that the Irish Government will continue to seek an independent public inquiry. The Taoiseach also conveyed this directly to Prime Minister Cameron. I will continue to set out the case with the Secretary of State for full implementation of the Weston Park Agreement.
