1983. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will meet the families of those bereaved and injured by the Omagh bombing. [24126/26]

The bombing in the town of Omagh on the 15 August 1998 was the single worst atrocity of the Troubles.

The Government has recognised the terrible toll that the bombing took on so many and has made clear its commitment to doing everything possible to assist the UK Omagh Bombing Inquiry in its work. In addition to the measures already implemented to support the disclosure of Irish State materials to the Inquiry, I have brought forward legislation to enable the taking of oral testimony in this jurisdiction. That Bill, the International Co-operation (Omagh Bombing Inquiry) Bill, is due to be considered by the Select Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration today and I hope, with the support of both Houses, that it will be enacted before the Summer.

As regards whether I will meet the Omagh families, I am always open to considering requests for meetings.

There has been a long history of engagement between the families and Government representatives. Last June, senior officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade organised a meeting with the families of victims, survivors and legal representatives following the hearing of opening statements by core participants to the Inquiry. Some 40 people attended. The meeting provided an opportunity to hear the concerns of those present and to answer any questions that they had in relation to the form assistance by Irish authorities would take.

Since then a number of the families have initiated legal proceedings against the State seeking the establishment of a parallel inquiry in this jurisdiction. Those proceedings are ongoing and obviously impose some limitations on what could be discussed with families at any meeting.

Apart from the constraints arising from those live legal proceedings, I am conscious that there is a statutory inquiry underway in Northern Ireland. It is my view that matters that touch on the Inquiry's remit and operation are primarily a matter of communication between the Inquiry itself and the families, many of whom have the formal status of core participants before the Inquiry. It is for the Inquiry, within its own rules, to determine what information to share with core participants including in relation to co-operation with this jurisdiction.

The Deputy will be aware that Counsel to the Inquiry at its hearing on 19 March comprehensively addressed the operation of the Memorandum of Understanding that is in place between the Government and the Chairman of the Inquiry and noted the considerable efforts that have been made by Irish authorities and the effective progress being made to respond to its requests.

I understand the Inquiry also referred at its hearing to its engagement with my officials in relation to the General Scheme of the Bill which I shared with them last December.

As I have said I am open to considering all requests for meetings but would wish to avoid any misunderstanding as to the scope of the matters that might be discussed.