Speaking after all Assembly parties supported an Ulster Unionist Party motion, Justice spokesperson, Doug Beattie MC MLA said.

“Following the affirmative vote on the Ulster Unionist motion, I have written to the Irish Justice Minister outlining the concerns expressed in the Assembly from all political parties.  Those concerns centre around the Irish Government failing to conduct a parallel inquiry into the Omagh Bombing on the 15^th August 1998.

“The motion, as amended, also expressed concerns that any Memorandum of Understanding between the UK and Irish government would be meaningless. It would not give the UK Public Inquiry the ability to compel witness from Ireland, particularly those from the Garda or Defence Force Directorate of Military Intelligence.

“The warm words from the Irish Government, saying they will cooperate fully with the inquiry, are simply not enough.  Their previous failures to cooperate regarding the Kingsmill massacre is still a source of frustration for many families. Also, their admittance that information would be redacted before investigation means the truth will never be fully known.

“Given the vehicle used was stolen in the Irish Republic, the explosive sourced in the Irish Republic, the Timer Power Unit (TPU) made in the Irish Republic and the devastating terrorist attack was launched from the Irish Republic, the perpetrators then returning to the Irish Republic, it is important that they take finding the truth seriously. Could they have done more to stop this deadly attack?

“The motion also outlined how the Irish Government have taken a role of criticising much but delivering little on legacy.  The sense of the Assembly was that Ireland believed itself to be an innocent bystander in our troubled past instead of an active participant.  The number of UK citizens murdered and injured by terrorist operations mounted in Ireland with the perpetrator escaping back to Ireland means that they cannot turn a blind eye.  Victims certainly deserve much more from the UK government, but at the moment they are getting nothing from the Irish Government.”