Same old response from the Gov over the Dublin/Monaghan Bombings, 41 years later the Taoiseach should be demanding answers not just “raising the issue”. This terrorist attack was the deadliest in this countries history and I think the families deserve at least a proactive Government that makes justice for the victims a priority when having dialogue with their British counterparts. There are serious questions surrounding collusion that need to be answered. The Government has been afraid to show true leadership and demand (not consult or request) that all files relating to the attacks be disclosed. I used my speaking time on Northern Ireland Statements to illustrate that, while we all support the Good Friday Agreement, people from both communities can’t move forward with reconciliation while there are still so many unanswered questions from the past.
To ask 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.
- Maureen O’Sullivan.
REPLY
Charles Flanagan (Minister, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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.
