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Vol. 616 Tuesday, No. 4 21 March 2006 DI´OSPO´ IREACHTAI´ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DA´ IL E´ IREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIU´ IL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Tuesday, 21 March 2006. Ceisteanna—Questions Taoiseach …………………………………1089 Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Priority Questions ……………………………1100 Other Questions ……………………………1116 Adjournment Debate Matters ……………………………1121 Leaders’ Questions ………………………………1122 Requests to move Adjournment of Da´il under Standing Order 31 ………………1136 Order of Business ………………………………1138 Aviation Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Order for Report Stage ……………………………1145 Report and Final Stages ……………………………1146 National Sports Campus Development Authority Bill 2006: Second Stage (resumed) … … … 1156 Private Members’ Business Political Donations and Planning: Motion ……………………1166 Adjournment Debate Hospitals Building Programme …………………………1206 Health Services ………………………………1208 Decentralisation Programme …………………………1211 Fire Stations ………………………………1213 Questions: Written Answers ……………………………1217 1089 1090 DA´ IL E´ IREANN 7. Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach the recent communications he has had with the family of the ———— late Mr. Pat Finucane; and if he will make a state- ment on the matter. [8961/06] De´ Ma´irt, 21 Ma´rta 2006. Tuesday, 21 March 2006. 8. Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach the recent communications he has had with the family of the ———— late Mr. Pat Finucane; and if he will make a state- ment on the matter. [9159/06] Chuaigh an Ceann Comhairle i gceannas ar 2.30 p.m. The Taoiseach: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 8, inclusive, together. ———— The Government continues to support a full independent public inquiry into the murder of Pat Paidir. Finucane. We have made clear that we want to Prayer. see the standard agreed at Weston Park, and set by Judge Cory, adhered to. We continue to share ———— the concern of the Finucane family, and indeed of Judge Cory, that the new Inquiries Act, under Ceisteanna — Questions. which the British Government intends to have the Finucane case investigated, will not meet ———— these standards. We have raised these concerns directly with the British Government. Public Inquiries. The Government welcomes the motion in this case, passed unanimously by the House on 8 1. Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he has March. I have met the Finucane family on many had communication from the family of murdered occasions. Most recently, I met Geraldine solicitor, Mr. Pat Finucane, in relation to the Finucane and other family members during my terms of an inquiry. [5506/06] visit to the United States. I had a more detailed meeting with the family on 27 February in 2. Mr. Gregory asked the Taoiseach if the Brit- Dublin, prior to the recent debate in the House. ish Government’s proposal to deal with the Pat I have on all occasions assured Mrs. Finucane of Finucane inquiry under the new Inquiries Act is my firm support for their efforts to achieve the in breach of the Weston Park Agreement; if he full truth concerning this disturbing case. has brought this matter to the attention of the I discussed the Pat Finucane case with a British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair; and if he number of Senators and Congressmen on Capitol will make a statement on the matter. [6394/06] Hill last week. It is clear that the Finucane family also has considerable support there and that the 3. Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach if he will concerns of this House are widely shared in report on his contacts with the family of the late Washington. Mr. Patrick Finucane; and if he will make a state- I also raised the Finucane case at my meeting ment on the matter. [6431/06] last week with President Bush. The US Admini- stration has an ongoing interest in this case and I 4. Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach the rep- briefed the President on the current situation. I resentations he has received from the family of particularly thanked the President for raising the the late Mr. Pat Finucane into British Govern- matter with Prime Minister Blair following our ment proposals for an inquiry into his murder; the meeting last year. response he has made to such representations; While in Washington, I also briefly discussed and if he will make a statement on the matter. this case with the Northern Ireland Secretary of [6751/06] State. I told him that there continued to be funda- mental concerns regarding the proposed inquiry and that we remained fully supportive of the 5. Mr. F. McGrath asked the Taoiseach if the Finucane family. issue of a proper inquiry into the murder of solici- tor, Mr. Pat Finucane, will be raised again; and Mr. J. Higgins: With all due respect to the the position regarding the case. [7251/06] Taoiseach, it is not a question of the reassurances he gave anybody and everybody. It is about what 6. Caoimhghı´nO´ Caola´in asked the Taoiseach Mr. Blair said to the Taoiseach, when they met if he will report on his efforts to press the British during the past two weeks, about a full proper Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, to ensure that public inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane. the British Government fulfils its commitment to How does the Taoiseach interpret the intention establish a full independent public inquiry into of the British Government to hold the inquiry the murder of Mr. Pat Finucane; and if he will into that murder on the basis of legislation which make a statement on the matter. [7783/06] can and will see vital evidence withheld? Does he 1091 Ceisteanna — 21 March 2006. Questions 1092 [Mr. J. Higgins.] full, independent, public judicial inquiry. That is believe the British Government wants to cover the position and as of now, I can give the House up the collusion between the killers of Pat no comfort. There is no question of diplomatic Finucane and the forces of the British State? Did niceties. This has been raised at endless meetings he put that point baldly to Prime Minister Blair which have been far from diplomatic niceties. The when he met him? British Government will not change. The Northern Ireland Office stated the motion demanding a proper inquiry passed by the Da´il Mr. Gregory: Will the Taoiseach give his views was fundamentally flawed and misleading. What on the reluctance of the British Government to did the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, grant a full public inquiry into this case? Does the Mr. Hain, state to the Taoiseach regarding that? Taoiseach accept that the inquiry on offer is in Did he contact the Government verbally or in effect a British Government controlled inquiry written form following on from that motion? If into collusion by British Government security so, what did he state exactly? services? It is a nonsense. It is not an inquiry at When will the Taoiseach leave diplomatic all. The Inquiries Act restricts the control of the niceties aside and square up to Prime Minister inquiry judges, allows for the deletion of details Blair on this issue? We have been around the of findings made by the inquiry and effectively garden in the same way seeking information on transfers control of the inquiry from the judges to the horrific bombings in Dublin, in which col- a Minister. lusion is also suspected, and we are no further Does the Taoiseach accept that if the Finucane forward. Will we be back in this House again next case were to proceed under the terms of that Act year with the Taoiseach having failed to get from the end result would be another cover up, which the British Government any real commitment to is not acceptable? Is it not time to end the cap in bringing out the truth of this horrific murder? Is hand approach on this issue and change tactics to it not time for him to deliver on this and expose demand a full public independent inquiry? If Prime Minister Blair in front of the world as a there is good faith between the two Govern- hypocrite if necessary—— ments, surely that can be achieved? An Ceann Comhairle: The Deputy must con- The Taoiseach: I agree with most of what fine himself to a question. Deputy Gregory said. It is clearly not what was envisaged as a full independent public judicial Mr. J. Higgins: ——if he does not comply with inquiry in the Weston Park proposals. This is new what the majority of Irish people wish in this legislation introduced by the British Government regard? and the restrictive clause in that legislation, which would effectively restrict the judge’s handling of The Taoiseach: The Deputy speaks as though the information, renders it useless. It would not he is not aware of what has been going on over restrict the judge in seeing or reading the infor- the past long period. What Prime Minister Blair mation but would restrict him or her in using it and the Secretary of State stated was that they do in public, publishing it or showing it to the family not intend changing the Inquiries Act. Our posi- or its lawyers. For that reason it is of no use. tion at every level, such as through the motion The British Government, under significant passed in this House, our position at meetings pressure from all sides, has shown no inclination over the past year or year and a half with the to move and in a recent letter the Secretary of British Government and in the United States and State for Northern Ireland said that the Govern- through a range of other civil rights groups and ment intends to proceed with the inquiry. I spoke other groups, is that we oppose that position.