Call for Dáil debate on bombs report

All political parties have a duty to ensure a Dáil and Seanad debate on alleged collusion in the Dublin and Monaghan bombings…

All political parties have a duty to ensure a Dáil and Seanad debate on alleged collusion in the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of 1974, the Green Party said.

Party leader Trevor Sargent called on the Taoiseach to allow the debate before he calls the General Election.

He was speaking in Dublin following a press conference where families of some of the victims of the bombings, represented by the Justice for the Forgotten group, spoke to the media.

"After decades of suffering and uncertainty, all parties have a duty to ensure that the victims' demands for a Dáil and Seanad debate on collusion are addressed immediately," Mr Sargent said.

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"The facts surrounding the Dublin and Monaghan bombings and the broader issue of collusion must be addressed now.

"The Government have seen this report coming down the tracks, yet they have failed to clear time in the Dáil and Seanad schedule to discuss the issues surrounding it. The Green Party is calling on the Taoiseach to honour his duties to the victims of the horrific bombings."

Labour's justice spokeswoman Kathleen Lynch said the report fails to address a number of questions posed by the survivors and victims of those killed in the bombs.

"Within the restricted terms of reference given to him, Mr MacEntee has done a thorough job but despite this, speculation will continue about the extent to which those involved in these bombings received active support and assistance from members of the security forces in Northern Ireland," she said.

"This speculation will inevitably be fuelled by Mr MacEntee's inability 'for legal reasons' to report on one significant aspect of his terms of reference."

Sinn Féin TD and Dáil leader Caoimhghí­n Ó Caoláin called on the Taoiseach to recall the Dáil during the Easter recess to allow time for a "full and open debate" on collusion.

"This report exposes a massive failure on the part of the Gardaí­ to pursue the investigation of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings," he said.

"The only logical explanation for what took place is a cover-up of collusion. Gross incompetence is not enough to explain the failure to investigate and the apparent destruction of records. The report again exposes the failure of the British authorities to cooperate with the commission established by the Oireachtas."