235 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Justice if she will make a statement on the current status of inquiries into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings; and if the relevant files will be made available to the families concerned. [4031/97]

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the investigation file on the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings continues to remain open and that any new leads will be actively pursued.

The Garda authorities also informed me that it is not proposed to make the Garda investigation file available and it would be contrary to long-standing practice to make files of this kind available to any parties. As there are indications that this matter may be the subject of legal proceedings, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further.