30 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the British Government's failure to co-operate with the independent commission of inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings; the initiatives taken by him todate to obtain the co-operation required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31463/01]

223 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the British Government's failure to co-operate with the independent commission of inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings; the initiatives taken by him to date to obtain the co-operation required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32164/01]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 223 together.

The Taoiseach has raised the question of co-operation with Mr. Justice Barron directly with both the British Prime Minister, Mr. Blair and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Dr. John Reid, and through the British-Irish Secretariat. Most recently, the Taoiseach raised the matter with the British Prime Minister in the course of a bi-lateral meeting at the British-Irish Council meeting of 30 November 2001. The British Government is, therefore, very well aware of our interest in this matter. At Mr. Justice Barron's request, the Taoiseach wrote to Dr. Reid supporting the judge's request for a meeting with him, and Dr. Reid has confirmed that he will meet Mr. Justice Barron. This meeting will take place on 17 January 2002.