An inquiry into the Garda investigation of the Omagh bombing is to release its findings in two weeks, it emerged tonight.
Relatives of victims of the 1998 bomb which killed 29 people raised the matter at a meeting in Dublin today with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen.
They also requested an investigation into the issue by the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman's office.
Spokesman Mr Michael Gallagher said the group had raised many questions with the minister at today's meeting.
He said Mr Cowen confirmed that findings of the three-strong commission set up by the former justice minister Mr John O'Donoghue would be made available in two weeks, although it was not confirmed whether they would be given a full or a summarised version.
"What we urged him to do was to consider the use of the Ombudsman's office in Belfast," Mr Gallagher said.
"We felt that they were the best placed people to carry out an individual investigation, that's not to say that we question the ability of the three-man team, but we feel that the Ombudsman's office has investigative skills that would not be available from the three-man team."
He said Mr Cowen had not expected the suggestion and urged the group to be patient and wait for the outcome of the commission's inquiry.
"We raised the fact that a number of people had been charged in connection with the Omagh bomb in this jurisdiction and those charges were withdrawn - that was an area he couldn't comment on," said Mr Gallagher.
"We also raised the fact that intelligence wasn't shared as well as we were led to believe, again those were all questions that he couldn't answer but he assured us that he will come back."
Mr Gallagher said the minister once again denied allegations that the Irish government had done a deal with the Real IRA in return for a ceasefire.
"He firmly said that there is absolutely no question of the government doing any deal on that," he said.
The allegation - said to centre on an an agreement not to "harass" Real IRA members - was made in a Channel 4 News programme in October.
The charges originated from Mr John White, a currently suspended detective sergeant in the Garda.
Mr Gallagher said he hoped this would be the first in a series of meetings, and said the group had arranged to meet Mr Cowen again to hear his response to questions raised today.
PA