52. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on the engagement with the British Government in relation to a case (details supplied). [59797/26]

The Joint Framework on addressing the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland was finalised by the Irish and British Governments in September last year but one area where agreement was not possible related to the murder of Seán Brown.

The Government has made clear our support for the Brown family in their calls for a public inquiry into the murder and I raised the matter at my first in person meeting with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Bryant on 24 August, during his visit to Dublin.

This case is exceptional in a number of respects. These include the rulings of the Northern Ireland High Court and Court of Appeal which identify a public inquiry as the only remedy; the material released by the Coroner's Court linking agents of the UK state to the murder; and the repeated frustration of a thorough investigation of the case by state agencies. My Department participated in the supervision of a review of the case, following the report of the Police Ombudsman, which did not receive the information subsequently found by the Coroner.

The Government will continue to support the Brown family in their calls for a public inquiry and to raise this case with the British government.