Stardust inquiry and related Bills
Thomas Broughan and Terence Flanagan press for progress on promised maritime and criminal justice legislation and, particularly, a commission of investigation into the Stardust tragedy. The Taoiseach gives a timetable for the maritime Bill and says new information from survivors’ legal advisers will be examined; the universities Bill is also due later that year.
When can we expect the Maritime Area and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill and the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill to come before the House? Last week myself and Deputies Terence Flanagan and Boyd Barrett attended a press conference arranged by the Stardust Relatives and Victims Committee. That committee asked me to remind the Taoiseach that he promised the people of Coolock and Artane that once he got into office, he would convene a commission of investigation----
Comment on this
----under the legislation introduced by the former Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy McDowell, in 2004. He said that there would be a short and quick commission of investigation into the Stardust tragedy, the 33rd anniversary of which falls on Friday week. Will the Taoiseach keep his promise? I feel very strongly, as do other local Deputies, that he should do so. It is a legacy issue that we need to deal with.
Comment on this
The Maritime Area and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill is due before the summer. In respect of the other matter that the Deputy raised, the last time I had contact with some of the survivors of the Stardust tragedy, they informed me that their legal advisors had new information to present. I advised them that their legal advisors should present that information, if it is new, and I understand that they are going to do so.
Comment on this
I support Deputy Broughan's remarks and thank the Taoiseach for his response. We are very anxious to progress this issue, particularly in the context of the new information that has come to light. If that information could be examined by departmental officials and if those officials could liaise directly with the Stardust victims' committee, that would be greatly appreciated.
The universities (amendment) Bill aims to ensure that universities comply with Government guidelines on pay, remuneration, bonuses, pensions and so forth. When will that Bill come before the House?