Tanaiste Michael Martin says all Irish Troubles files should be opened to public inquiries: ‘Genuine redress or a further ruse?’
A leading victims campaigner has asked if the view of the Tanaiste that all Irish Troubles files should be released to inquiries is an attempt at genuine redress “or a further ruse”.
Kenny Donaldson, director of the South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF) was speaking after Tanaiste Michael Martin said that in his view, all Irish files on the Troubles should be opened to public inquiries.
Mr Donaldson responded: “This pronunciation will be heralded by some but for others there will be significant head scratching. Firstly, why has it taken 50 years for such a commitment to come? And is this a genuine attempt to redress previous failings, or is it empty words and a further ruse?"
SEFF has found the Irish Government' unwilling to be accountable, he said.
“They have failed systematically to engage with more than a dozen requests from us for meetings with senior government ministers to discuss particular cases; there are dozens upon dozens of unanswered emails, and a prevailing dismissive attitude.
"Senior government ministers, including taoisigh have failed to come to Northern Ireland and stand in communities ravaged by cross-border terrorism.
"They have failed to come forward with firm proposals backed up with transformative legislation which would belatedly end the lie that they were innocent bystanders in 'The Troubles'.
"They are within their rights to call out what they see as UK State deficiencies, as we have done on many occasions. But the time for mealy mouth talk is over, we demand action.”
The Dublin Monaghan bombings were “a brutal act of premeditated terrorism” he added.