On Valentine's Day in 1981 many young people went out to enjoy a good night, but 48 did not come home. Their families are protesting outside the House at present. For 38 years they have been seeking answers despite various inquests and so forth. They believe they have new information and they are seeking justice after this long time. Are there plans for a new inquiry? Would the Tánaiste or the Taoiseach meet with the families? They are getting older but the pain continues. I appeal to the Tánaiste to consider meeting with them given what day it is and also to seriously consider holding an inquest.

The families and loved ones of the 48 people who died in the Stardust fire believe they have vital new evidence. Last November, hundreds marched to the Office of the Attorney General where they handed in 48,000 signatures demanding a reopening of the inquest. The families and survivors believe they have not had truth or justice. Will the Government commit to supporting the Stardust Relatives and Victims Committee in its call for reopening the inquest?

The Stardust Relatives and Victims Committee is once again protesting outside the gates of Leinster House. Today is the 38th anniversary of a most horrific tragedy which resulted in the deaths of 48 citizens. Families of the victims have been badly let down by this and previous Governments. There will never be closure until questions on what happened on that night are addressed properly. Will the Tánaiste meet with the families? Will he consider and support their demand for a new inquest? These families and their supporters will not go away until they get answers.

A previous Taoiseach, former Deputy Bertie Ahern, did a great deal of work on this, as did Deputies Haughey and Darragh O'Brien, over a number of years. Last year a commission was established under a former judge but, as has been said, this has not satisfied the families of some of the victims. I echo the requests that the Tánaiste or the Taoiseach consider taking this a step further to ameliorate the families' concerns and try to close this circle once and for all to their satisfaction. We remember the victims in a special way on this St. Valentine's Day.

I acknowledge this important occasion, which is the anniversary of what was perhaps one of the greatest tragedies to occur in this city. I am happy and satisfied at all times to receive any new information that the committee or any individual wishes to share with me. I had the opportunity to meet with the representative groups of victims and survivors on a number of occasions. I understand an application has been made to the Office of the Attorney General on the possibility of reopening the inquest. I am not privy to the detail of that, nor should I be. However, I am happy to convey the Deputies' concerns directly to my colleague, the Attorney General, immediately following this intervention.