This evening, the Dáil will discuss a motion relating to the Stardust tragedy in Artane on the night of 14 February 1981. I commend Deputy Tommy Broughan on sponsoring the motion. On that fateful St. Valentine's night, 48 people died and 214 people were injured. Some of the family members are in Leinster House today, in the Public Gallery. I extend my continued sympathy and solidarity to them and the survivors. Sinn Féin will support the motion.

Today, 36 years later, the families have still not got the full truth about how their loved ones died. There are also valid questions about the totally inadequate way in which the tragedy was investigated and dealt with by the institutions of the State. The original Keane inquiry into the Stardust fire claimed that it was caused by probable arson. The finding was overturned in 2009 as a result of the independent examination by Mr. Paul Coffey, SC. This led to the correction of the public record, which exonerated those present in the Stardust nightclub of any blame. The families of the victims of the Stardust tragedy are seeking a new commission of investigation into this dreadful tragedy. They say they have new evidence.

The onus should not be on the families of the victims to bring forward new evidence. It is the responsibility of the State and its agencies. In his report sent to the Government on 10 December 2008, on page 70, section 5.13, Mr. Coffey stated: "I further accept that a new inquiry is necessary if it is the only way of placing on the public record a finding that is based on evidence." However, this recommendation was not contained in the published report of January 2009.

I have raised these questions with the Taoiseach previously and he has rejected calls for a new inquiry. The families say the new evidence indicates that the fire started in the roof space and have presented it to the Department of Justice and Equality. The State has never given proper weight to other claims pointing to the culpability of the owners of the complex. The owners of the Stardust received compensation; the families have not. Will the Taoiseach support the families in their search for justice? Will he establish a new commission of investigation into the tragedy?

I join Deputy Adams in his expression of sympathy to families who lost 48 members in the Stardust fire 35 years ago. Nothing we say or do can bring back those loved ones. Those of us who can remember the tragedy on that weekend can never forget it.

The Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, negotiated, both on his own behalf and with his group, putting a particular issue about the Stardust fire into the programme for Government, which was agreed and accepted. That element which he negotiated states, "Full regard will be had to any new evidence which emerges which would be likely to definitely establish the cause of the fire at Stardust." That is from the programme for Government, adopted by the House, and which was negotiated by the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath. He has had a personal interest in this matter for many years, as indeed have other Members - such as Deputy Broughan, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Bruton, and Deputy Haughey - in the constituencies affected.

It has been 35 years since the Stardust fire. Up to 214 people were injured. Families and relatives of the victims of the tragedy have never received full and complete answers as to what occurred on the night of 14 February 1981. As Deputy Adams knows, in order to have any inquiry, there has to be a basis for it. There was a full-scale tribunal of inquiry and the Coffey report into the fire. Arising from both of these, questions were asked and people felt strongly that answers were not given. There are discussions taking place as we speak in respect of this matter. I want to express a willingness that there should be a commission of investigation. The basis upon which that has to take place is one that is being discussed by the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality and the Minister of State at the Department of Health.

Obviously, I would like to see the evidence that has been produced, which is purported to be new evidence that would warrant a commission of investigation. There is no disregard to the principle of having a commission of investigation. It is a very sensitive matter. For people who lost loved ones and family members, they can never be brought back. They deserve to have every attempt made to provide them with answers to their particular questions. Deputy Adams and I have discussed this in the context of so many other areas regarding Northern Ireland, with tragedies on one side or the other. Many of those obviously remain incomplete.

I hope the discussions that are under way will bring about a conclusion whereby matters can be progressed. As I said, the programme for Government is very clear on this. What is in the programme was negotiated directly by the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath. I hope that can be followed through because the Government wants to implement what it actually agreed to.

This has nothing to do with the North of Ireland, it has to do with the north of Dublin. The Government's resistance to a commission of investigation is predicated on the Taoiseach's often stated view - repeated today - that new evidence has to be presented. The families have presented new evidence which the Department of Justice and Equality has had for the past year. Accordingly, the Taoiseach's criterion has been fulfilled. Leaving that to one side, the fact is that 48 people died and a further 214 were injured. Families were devastated. The Taoiseach is quite right to say that families will never recover. I know that from my personal experience. One never recovers. A community has been deeply scarred. The first inquiry's findings have to be set to one side. Even that on its own, justifies what the families are asking for. There are also credible questions about the investigation by the State of this entire disaster. The Taoiseach said there is a willingness for there to be a commission of investigation. Will he just say that he will authorise a commission of investigation finally? He has met families in the past but not since he became Taoiseach. Will he meet the families in his office and announce a commission of investigation of the type outlined in tonight's Private Members' motion?

It is not the same as Northern Ireland. However, what is the same is the requirement of people who lost loved ones to find out the causes of their deaths. Whether that is in Northern Ireland or anywhere else, it is the same human reaction and feeling.

Then the Taoiseach should set the example.

That is pathetic.

There is certainly room here because there has been quite a deal of contact in connection with officials in the Department of Justice and Equality. Some people might not have the belief that others might like.

I do not see any difficulty in having the Government meet the families. The Deputy will appreciate I do not know the new evidence. I am quite willing to have a commission of investigation but that evidence needs to be examined. In the case of any investigation that takes place-----

The Taoiseach has the dossier the families gave him. I handed it to the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald.

-----one must demonstrate the basis and justification for it. There was a full tribunal here and another report by a senior counsel. There were still questions left to be answered. Now I understand there is new evidence. If that is the case and that evidence shows there should be a commission of investigation, then there will be one. I ask the Deputy to accept from me that the discussions that have taken place can hopefully bring that about.