17 May 2004:

ADDRESS BY CHAIRPERSON AT
30th ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION

Taoiseach, Reverend, Father, ladies and gentlemen,

I want to thank you for your presence here today to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. To some of you, especially those who were not yet born, it may seem like a very long time ago but to the bereaved families and those of us who lived through and survived that terrible day, it seems but yesterday.

Emotions are particularly raw on this anniversary as the inquests into how our loved ones met their deaths continue. Tomorrow will be a very painful day as the medical evidence into the cause of each death will be heard.

The Taoiseach is with us and I want to thank him for the commitment he has shown to us over the past five years. However, I want to remind him that there is unfinished business. The Joint Oireachtas Committee reported almost seven weeks ago and their recommendations have not yet been debated by the Houses of the Oireachtas. The legislation in relation to the Commission of Investigations Bill, although before the Houses of the Oireachtas since July of last year, has still not been passed. The Taoiseach must ensure the co-operation of the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, in any further inquiry.

We have grave concerns as to the willingness of the British Prime Minister or the British Government to co-operate on this issue as they have blatantly refused to co-operate with the inquests. The PSNI have refused to give evidence despite a request from the Dublin City Coroner to the Chief Constable, Mr. Hugh Orde. Even more disturbing is the fact that the Forensic Science Service of Northern Ireland has refused to attend. Samples of the debris from all four bomb sites were sent to their laboratory where they were analysed and a report was prepared and submitted to the Garda Síochána. Now, they have refused to attend inquiries established by arms of this State, the hearings before the Joint Oireachtas Committee as well as the inquests.

This must raise serious questions for the Irish Government. It flies in the face of the spirit of co-operation inherent in the Good Friday Agreement. It also exposes the hypocrisy of Tony Blair in his stated determination to root out terrorism wherever it may exist. We would suggest he starts in his own backyard.

The bereaved families and the maimed have waited long enough for the truth to emerge. It must happen in this year of the 30th anniversary.