Ahern defends focus of inquiry into 1974 bombings

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has rejected criticism that the terms of reference of the commission of investigation into the Dublin-Monaghan bombings in 1974 are too narrow.

This follows a statement by the Justice for the Forgotten, the group that represents the victims and their families, that it had no confidence in the commission as it was not consulted on the terms of reference and had been refused free legal representation.

In reply to a question from Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny today, Mr Ahern told the Dail the commission was set up to get a quick report on why the Garda investigation into the bombings failed.

"We're trying to identify the areas put forward and not open up an enormous investigation going back 30 years that would go on forever," Mr Ahern said.

"We've been through that process and we have to narrow it down to these areas. The benefit of the Commission of Investigation is that we get a quick investigation with terms of references that are not all over the place.

"People will be free to make their views to Mr MacEntee."

But the Justice for the Forgotten claims the Government ignored a memo, submitted by it, on the terms of reference.

The group's solicitor Greg O'Neill said: "The families have been shut out by the Government yet again.

"The inquiry will address some questions but many others will remain unanswered".

The Government has appointed a commission of investigation to examine alleged inadequacies in the original the Garda inquiry into the 1974 bombings which left 27 people dead.

The commission will focus on why the investigation was discontinued, why certain leads were not followed up and why certain files went missing.

It is expected to take the commission's sole member - barrister Patrick McEntee SC - six months to complete his report.