I am taking this question on behalf of Deputy Brendan Smith, who cannot be here this evening. He is a long-time advocate on this particular issue. Next May marks the 51st anniversary of the tragic events of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings where 34 innocent people lost their lives and over 300 people were injured. I ask the Tánaiste about the engagement he has had with the British Government on the very credible allegations of collusion with elements of the British security forces. What sort of reciprocation has there been to that engagement?

Sentiment score: 0.09

As the Tánaiste has rightly pointed out, five decades have passed and no progress on this matter has been indicated by the British Government. To any reasonable person, the passage of time in this instance negates any reasonable excuse for continuing to prevent access to that information. I welcome the Tánaiste's commitment and I hope we will see progress on the need to hand over all files and papers pertaining to this bombing to an eminent independent international legal figure. I note, as the Tánaiste has noted, the resolution of this House on four occasions, in 2008, 2011, 2016 and 2024, seeking the release by the UK Government of the original intelligence and security documents. Notwithstanding the call by a sovereign parliament on a neighbouring government to co-operate with a reasonable inquiry, the moral and legal obligation on the British Government to hand over these documents is quite considerable. As the relatives of those who suffered and lost loved ones in those bombings get older, the least the British Government could do is to recognise that pain and allow for that co-operation. I also ask the Tánaiste to strongly request full co-operation with the Garda investigation into the Belturbet bombings in 1972, in which teenagers Geraldine O'Reilly and Patrick Stanley were killed.

Sentiment score: 0.23

I thank the Tánaiste for that commitment and I acknowledge Deputy Carthy's role in moving the motion last year and his support on this particular matter. I have a question later on regarding the commitment from the UK Government to repeal the legacy Act, which I hope we will get to. The victim-centred approach needs to be at the heart of what we do here. I hope the intentions the UK Government has indicated in respect of the legacy Act will be followed through with a commitment, with progress on this particular matter, and with the sharing of those documents with an eminent international legal figure.

Sentiment score: 0.60