Dublin-Monaghan Bombings

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 October 2015

Tuesday, 13 October 2015

Ceisteanna (344, 363)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

344. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will support the calls on the British Government to release the files on the Dublin-Monaghan bombings. [35371/15]

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

363. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of any recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Ms Theresa Villiers, concerning the motions passed unanimously by Dáil Éireann in 2008 and 2011 in relation to the Dublin-Monaghan bombings of 1974, with particular reference to access to files or papers held by the British authorities regarding these atrocities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35781/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I propose to take Questions Nos. 344 and 363 together.

The Government fully supports the all-party Dáil motions of July 2008 and May 2011 urging the British Government to allow access by an independent international judicial figure to all original documents in their possession relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings.

I have raised this issue with the British Government on a number of occasions, including most recently on 8 October, and have received assurances from the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland that the British Government continues to actively consider how it can respond to the Dáil motions.

The Taoiseach also raised the Dublin and Monaghan bombings with British Prime Minister David Cameron on 18 June, underlining the Government’s continued support for the Dáil motions.