Like Senator Jonathan O'Brien, I offer my sincere condolences to the resilient people of Boston. I was there two weeks ago at the world Irish dancing championships and actually stayed at the Lenox Hotel on Boylston Street right across from where the second bomb exploded. To think one was coming in and out of that hotel with one's wife and kids while a terrorist organisation of some description was plotting a bomb across the street puts the hair standing on one's neck.

The Fr. Niall Molloy murder case is considered to be the biggest cover-up in the history of the State. There were media reports earlier this week that the cold case investigation into the murder had concluded after three years and had recommended to the Garda Commissioner to go ahead with a public inquiry because it too was met with a veil of silence. We all know the cover-up involved five arms of the State - the Judiciary, the church, the health fraternity, the Garda and the political system.

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

I have. This issue has lain dormant for 28 years. Senator Whelan and I have supported the call for a public inquiry into the case. The chairman of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party has written to the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice and Equality calling for a public inquiry too. As this House initiated the call for a public inquiry, will the Minister for Justice and Equality make a statement on the matter in the House? The Molloy family, the people of Roscommon and all connected rightfully deserve an independent public investigation.