Omagh victims and the Nally report
Kenny questioned the timing of the Taoiseach’s Omagh visit and sought a meeting and a security-compatible briefing for victims’ families. The Taoiseach said the visit had long been arranged, noted his past contact with representatives, and agreed information could be shared where legally permissible.
Last year I had the opportunity to meet the relatives of the victims of the Omagh bomb. This was one of the most sobering meetings I have ever attended. Over two hours, people made their case cogently that what they are in pursuit of is the truth. Why, the day before we debate the Nally report in the Dáil, has a visit to Omagh been arranged suddenly for the Taoiseach? Is this just a cynical exercise by the Taoiseach for a photo opportunity? Would he not have been far better employed to stay in Government Buildings, meet the families of the victims of the Omagh bomb and atrocity and give them a briefing on elements of the Nally report which he could discuss with them? Perhaps, as was discussed in the House, he could give them an edited version of that report without interfering or infringing upon State security.
It appears to me and to the public at large that in the Taoiseach's reply to a parliamentary question some weeks ago concerning visits outside his jurisdiction, this visit was not mentioned. When was this visit arranged and what is the purpose of the visit? Why did the Taoiseach not take the preferred path of meeting the families of the victims in Dublin, where they will happen to be on that day? On the day before the Dáil debates the Nally report, why is it not possible to give an edited version of the report to the families who time and again have said that what they want from this is the simple truth?
Comment on this
I will visit Northern Ireland on Thursday, as I do regularly. I have a number of engagements which have been arranged for some time. I will be in Coleraine University, Derry and Belfast to discuss the Belfast partnership and a number of other issues. One of the engagements I have is in Omagh.
The Nally report was to be debated by the House last Friday so had that gone ahead it would have been completed before my visit. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, on previous occasions, made the committee aware of the issues in so far as he has been able to do so. Over the years I have met many of the people connected with Omagh. I have been involved in many of their fundraising efforts and have kept in touch with them. I will participate in a reception by the leaders of the civic society and councils in Omagh.
When talking about international visits abroad in the context of the EU, I do not include Northern Ireland, or perhaps I included the fact that I would be in Northern Ireland a number of times between now and the summer.
Comment on this
I am well aware of the time the Taoiseach has spent over the past number of years dealing with the Good Friday Agreement and the attempts to bring about a peaceful solution to the problems of Northern Ireland and cross-Border activities.
Will the Taoiseach confirm if he is to meet with the families of the victims of the Omagh bomb in Dublin, at an appropriate time convenient to him? Will he consent to giving the families of the victims a briefing on the essential elements of the Nally report that do not infringe State security? Will he further undertake to give the families an appropriate edited version of the Nally report which they can peruse?
In so doing, does the Taoiseach not consider that he would be far more genuine towards the plight of the families and their quest for truth than the perception that will emanate from a visit to Omagh for a photo opportunity without meeting the families of victims to explain what he can to them?
Comment on this
Whether or not there are photographers in Omagh is a matter for the photographers. Needless to say, I could not care less. I met representatives of the Omagh groups as far back as 22 August 1998 and continue to do so.
As far as the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform or me for that matter, being able to brief people on facts and information regarding the Nally report — although it is appropriate that the Minister would undertake this — I assure Deputy Kenny that in so far as it is legally watertight to give that information, I have no difficulty in doing that. That would be a good thing.
As the Deputy is aware, if we could give the whole report it would resolve many issues for them as well because a lot of things being said about the Nally report have to do with people clutching on to things where they believe there might be something in it, but as we both know, there is no such information in it.