Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 May 2023
182. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will have further discussions with the British Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on the need for the British government to respond positively and without further delay to the unanimous requests of Dáil Éireann concerning the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of May 1974; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23940/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe implementation of the All-Party Dáil motions relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings continues to be a priority for the Government, as highlighted in the Programme for a Partnership Government. The continuing absence of a substantive response from the British Government on these motions is of deep concern and is an issue I consistently raise with the British government, both at senior political and official level. I raised this with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland most recently on 16 May, reminding him of the urgent need for a considered response.
I will continue to engage with the British Government to achieve progress on this issue, with a view to ensuring access by an independent, international judicial figure to all original documents relating to the Dublin and Monaghan Bombings.
This year marks the 49th anniversary of the appalling attacks of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings in which 33 people were murdered, the largest loss of life on a single day in the Troubles.
I attended an event in Dublin on 17 May hosted by Justice for the Forgotten, to remember those that lost their lives in those attacks and to meet with the families of those killed and injured. I assured those families that the Government is committed to actively pursuing the implementation of the all-Party Dáil motions, and to maintaining a close and cooperative relationship with Justice for the Forgotten, as we continue to seek the full facts of the appalling events of 25 May 1974 and of other attacks in this jurisdiction during the Troubles.
In this context, it is important to restate my concerns regarding the Legacy Bill currently before the UK Parliament. The Bill is not fit for purpose and should not be enacted in its current form. In my meeting with the Secretary of State on 16 May, I once again relayed the Government's deep concerns about the UK Bill.
