Dáil to debate Finucane inquiry call

Members of the Dáil will debate a motion today calling on the British government to set up an independent public inquiry into the murder of a Belfast solicitor 17 years ago.

The family of Pat Finucane believes his fatal shooting by loyalists in February 1989 involved collusion by security forces.

The Government and human rights organisations have been critical of the British government’s decision to pass a new Inquiries Act last year, changing the terms under which a tribunal would be set up.

They believe the legislation gives the British government too much of a say over what evidence will be made available to the inquiry and what can be heard in public.

The family, which has insisted it will not co-operate with the inquiry if it is held under the terms of the 2005 Act, fears crucial evidence will be withheld on the grounds of national security.

The all-party private member’s motion, originally tabled by opposition party Fine Gael, is expected

to be approved by the Dáil.

Mr Finucane’s widow Geraldine and sons Michael and Dermot will be present in the visitors’ gallery for the debate.

A Fine Gael spokesman said party leader Enda Kenny suggested the proposal to the Finucane family after a meeting last year.

Mrs Finucane and her sons have been briefing party leaders on the issue in the Republic and Northern Ireland in recent months.

The motion backs Igovernment moves to highlight the case in the United States, the United Nations and the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.

The motion concludes: “The Dáil calls on the British government to reconsider its position on the Finucane case to take full account of the family’s objections and amend the UK Inquiries Act 2005.

“(It) calls for the immediate establishment of a full, independent, public judicial inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane, as recommended by Judge Cory, which would enjoy the full co-operation of the family and the wider community throughout Ireland and abroad.”