Stardust Fire Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 July 2013

Tuesday, 16 July 2013

Ceisteanna (902, 903)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

902. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will be recommending the establishment of a parliamentary inquiry under the Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Bill 2013 if and when that legislation becomes law, or an independent form of inquiry into the Stardust tragedy of 1981 owing to the continued dissatisfaction of the families that the matter has not been fully investigated heretofore in view of new information that has come to their attention in the recent past. [34923/13]

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

903. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether all of the recommendations contained in the report of Paul Coffey, SC, on the Stardust tragedy 1981 have been fulfilled, particularly in the field of counselling and medical needs of the families of the victims of the tragedy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34924/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice and Equality

I propose to take Questions Nos. 902 and 903 together.

Insofar as the question of establishing a parliamentary or other inquiry into the Stardust tragedy is concerned, the position is the independent examination carried out of the Victims Committee's case for a new inquiry concluded that the Committee had not identified any new or other evidence capable of establishing the cause of the fire and that to establish a new inquiry for that purpose, in the absence of any identified evidence, would not be in the public interest. No new information has been put forward which would warrant a departure from this conclusion.

In order to identify the level of demand for access to ongoing counselling and medical services and so as not to interfere in the privacy of any of the survivors or bereaved, a public information notice was placed in newspapers in October 2009 asking those who wished to access such services through this channel to register their interest. Arrangements to provide these services were put in place in February 2010, based on the response received. This facility remains in place for those who wish to avail of it.