175. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his recent engagement with the British Government regarding the Dublin and Monaghan bombings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27324/25]

Sentiment score: 0.16

As we have discussed previously, 51 years have passed since the dreadful events of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings in which 33 people lost their lives and hundreds more, including family members of constituents of mine, were injured both physically and mentally. In a week when we spoke in the Dáil about the importance of seeking truth and answers for loved ones, it is very much a fact that the families of victims of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings do not have justice and do not have the full truth. I look forward to hearing how the Tánaiste is engaging with the UK Government on this matter.

Sentiment score: 0.10

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Tánaiste as a fhreagra. As he noted, four all-party motions were passed by the House, in 2008, 2011, 2014 and 2016, urging full co-operation from the British Government. It seems the citation of national security as grounds not to enable that co-operation is held up as a flag. He mentioned Operation Denton, which is a welcome development in terms of investigating unresolved killings during the Troubles. I note that An Garda Síochána has co-operated with Operation Denton. It is important that this co-operation be reciprocated by the British Government in terms of the access to documents and details that is needed. The victims of these tragedies have gone for decades with unanswered questions about the truth of what happened on that dreadful day, which does not help them in any way to find closure for their grief. I urge the Tánaiste to continue his engagement with the British Government and to challenge its citation of national security as a grounds upon which not to co-operate with the investigation into these killings.

Sentiment score: -0.12

The Tánaiste is entirely right. Government and Members of the Dáil owe it to the victims of those attacks to continually press the British Government on its use of national security as a shield for withholding that documentation. Will the Tánaiste directly challenge the British Government in his interactions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and other members of the British Government on its use of national security to withhold documents? Will he give an assurance that victims' voices remain central to any engagement with the British Government regarding not only this set of tragedies but the wider legacy piece and if the Government has been given access to any preliminary findings from Operation Denton or any further insight into when the report of Operation Denton will be published?

Sentiment score: 0.00