Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 May 2024
60. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had any recent discussions with the British government in relation to the Dublin/Monaghan bombings in 1974; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20773/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra75. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his engagement with the British Government on issues relating to the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings ahead of the 50th anniversary this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20618/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra110. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the outcome of his most recent discussions with the secretary of state for Northern Ireland and with the British foreign secretary in relation to the need for the British government to cooperate fully in a comprehensive investigation in to the Dublin/Monaghan bombings of 1974; if there has been any response from the British authorities to the motions passed unanimously by Dáil Éireann in 2008, 2011 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20832/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra117. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if there have been any recent responses from the British government into the need for full cooperation and comprehensive investigations in to atrocities including the Dublin/Monaghan bombings of 1974 and the Belturbet bombing of 1972; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20833/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 60, 75, 110 and 117 together.
The implementation of the All-Party Dáil motions relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings continues to be a priority, in fulfilment of the Programme for a Partnership Government. The continuing absence of a substantive response from the British government on these motions is a matter of concern and is an issue I consistently raise with UK Ministers.
Most recently at the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference on 29 April in London and on 18 April at a meeting with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in Dublin, I raised the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. I reminded him that this year marks the 50th anniversary of those attacks, which saw the single largest loss of life of the Troubles. I emphasised the need for a considered response with a view to ensuring access by an independent, international judicial figure to original documents relating to the case.
Both the report of the Barron Inquiry and the McEntee Commission of Inquiry referred to being limited by their lack of access to original intelligence and security documents in the possession of the British Government. While I recognise that all governments have a duty to protect their national security, I find it difficult to understand that this would extend to preventing the provision of documents to an independent international figure after the passage of five decades.
I am conscious that the work of the Operation Denton investigation is very relevant to a number of cases North and South, including the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. I recently met with lead investigator, Sir Iain Livingston, to hear about his work and that of the Denton team. It is to be hoped that the anticipated report of the Operation Denton investigation will contribute to the long process of justice, truth and acknowledgement for the victims and survivors.
Last year I attended and spoke at, a very moving and powerful memorial in Dublin on 17 May hosted by Justice for the Forgotten remembering those that lost their lives in the attacks and to meet with the families of those killed and injured. I met with victims and survivors including Maeve Taylor, the oldest living survivor of the bombing who turned 96 in December. Maeve along with her three daughters was caught up in the bombings in Talbot St. The family were in Talbot St shopping for a white cardigan for her daughter Lisa’s communion the next day.
Justice for the Forgotten is an organisation which supports families affected by the Dublin and Monaghan bombs, and is funded by my Department's Reconciliation Fund. This year as we prepare to mark the 50th anniversary of the appalling attacks of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, I am acutely aware that families have waited too long for answers. As we approach the anniversary, those families are in my thoughts. I plan to attend the commemoration events in Dublin, being organised by Justice for the Forgotten. I was pleased to be invited to be interviewed recently by Barry Lennon of RTÉ for a podcast marking the 50th anniversary of the bombings.
Each year, as I see families gather in Talbot St and in Monaghan, I am reminded of the intergenerational trauma an atrocity such as these bombings has on families and on wider society. I want to pay tribute to all the victims and survivors of the bombings, for their strength, dignity and commitment to finding truth and justice. The Government has and will continue to seek the full facts of the events of 17 May 1974.
