I asked this same question two weeks ago and it was subsequently asked a number of times by Deputies in this House. I am compelled to raise the matter again today.

On 13 February it will be 41 years since the terrible Stardust fire in Artane in Dublin, in which 48 young people died and 240 young people were injured. In September 2019, the Attorney General announced that an inquest must go ahead as this was in the public interest. The Department of Justice leased the RDS in Ballsbridge for one year for the Stardust inquest, and spent nearly €2 million, out of an €8 million fund on renting it and fitting it out. In October of last year the families of the victims, and their legal team, were advised by the coroner that after February the lease expires. The families are very upset that no venue has been tied down to continue the Stardust inquest at the end of this month, and that no arrangements are in place to ensure there will be a jury for it. Will the Tánaiste intervene in this? Will he and the Minister for Justice meet with the families on this?

The coroner, Dr. Myra Cullinane, is independent in her functions. There are very strict rules around the extent to which a politician can intervene with the coronial process. As the Deputy is aware, a bespoke courtroom was built in the RDS to facilitate the inquests. The contract for this special courtroom is due to expire at the end of this month. The Government recognises that this is a sensitive situation and wants to assure the families that it is committed to ensuring that a new venue is in place to permit the inquest to be continued by the Dublin District Coroner. I want to assure the families that the matter is being actively worked on. The Office of Public Works, on behalf of the Government, is securing alternative premises and we intend that this situation will be resolved as soon as possible.