The Taoiseach knows there are new issues so why does he not order a commission of inquiry?

This is Leaders' Questions. Deputy Broughan is not the leader of his party. He should allow the Taoiseach to speak without interruption.

He knows most of all.

If there are new issues, I have spelt out how they can be dealt with.

I join Deputies Kenny and Rabbitte in an expression of sympathy to the Keegan family and to all those bereaved by the tragedy that occurred yesterday in Firhouse. We are also mindful of the hurt and pain of neighbours in the wider community and of young school friends in that wider catchment.

The Taoiseach referred in his responses to Deputies Kenny and Rabbitte to new evidence concerning the Stardust tragedy of 25 years ago last night, St. Valentine's eve. Does the Taoiseach accept that the conclusion reached by the tribunal that the cause of the fire was probably arson was deeply flawed and had no basis in evidence? When he talks about new evidence, does the Taoiseach note that the basis for a new investigation has existed not just arising from the current series of television programmes but for some five years as a result of details concerning the Garda investigation that were leaked to the authors of the book on the tragedy five years ago? These included key witness statements that were not taken into account by the tribunal when it sat.

There is already a basis for the Taoiseach to agree this point, irrespective of what may or may not arise from tonight's programme. I join the appeal to the Taoiseach to meet the relatives of the Stardust victims.

The Deputy's time is concluded.

He should not wait, if he is suggesting there is a difference between a knock on the door and a request, but should indicate openly that he will invite the relatives to meet him. That would be appropriate and he would have all our support and endorsement for such a stance. I urge the Taoiseach to put in place a new investigation, which is critical.

Does the Taoiseach agree it was an obscenity that the owners of the property received massive compensation while the only person hauled before the courts was the singer and songwriter, Christy Moore, whose song on the tragedy was banned in the courts at the behest of the owners of the Stardust ballroom?

Does the Taoiseach not recognise that 25 years after the Stardust tragedy, there are just 11 fire brigade ambulances in the greater city and county of Dublin plus a small complement of Health Service Executive ambulances catering to a population of in excess of 1.1 million?

The Deputy's time is concluded.

Does he agree that this is totally inadequate and that the only appropriate response is to recognise that every step must be taken to avoid a recurrence of such a tragedy? I want to know what steps the Government is taking in this regard.

While I do not want to repeat myself, I will make the following points. The committee that had ongoing meetings with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and his officials made a report which was examined by the Garda and the forensic science laboratory in November 1994. More recently, it made further submissions and the Minister has stated they will be carefully examined by the Department. As I stated at the outset, in that light the Department forwarded recent correspondence from the Stardust committee with regard to the tragedy to the forensic science laboratory for its consideration. The Department will again contact the members of the committee as soon as the laboratory's response to the most recent correspondence has been received. In the event that there is new information or advice the Minister can provide to the Stardust committee, he will meet representatives of the families.

This much has already been agreed, as I stated. The only question is whether there are new issues or issues which the families feel have not reached a satisfactory conclusion. The Keane tribunal made its detailed findings but the Government, through the Department, the Garda, the forensic science laboratory and other sections, is more than eager to deal with the families.

It is not necessary to repeat all of the issues with regard to services but, while the Deputy is correct that there are 11 fire brigade ambulances — two at Tara Street fire station and one at each of the other fire stations — the health services have 63 ambulances and 16 other vehicles that can be mobilised for the emergency plan. If the emergency plan operated as it did on that night, all the ambulances — almost 90 vehicles — would be available. That is the comparable figure. I have mentioned the other areas and financial issues.

The committee representing the families has been engaged for a protracted period with the Government. Therefore, it is not just now that the call has been made. The most recent information is being analysed by forensic scientists. If new information arises from this analysis or from reports they have already submitted, the Government will look at it.