An Oireachtas committee has demanded that the Taoiseach bring the search for the truth about the Dublin and Monaghan bombings directly to Downing Street, writes Mark Brennock, Chief Political Correspondent
The ball is back in the Government's court. Three decades after the Dublin and Monaghan bombings killed 33 people, including a pregnant woman, an Oireachtas Committee has put it up to the Taoiseach to use his relationship with the British Prime Minister to demand an initial investigation, followed by a public inquiry in Northern Ireland or Britain.
The committee has recommend two "side-bar" inquiries in the Republic: one into why the Garda investigation into the bombings was wound down in 1974 without following up certain leads; the other into missing Government, Garda and intelligence documentation.
But the main focus is on pressurising the British authorities, firstly, to hold an inquiry such as that headed by retired Canadian judge Mr Peter Cory, which would be followed by a full tribunal of inquiry.
The Oireachtas Committee believes there may be more information in the UK that could help resolve outstanding questions.
These include who carried out the bombings, whether members of the security forces colluded, and if so at what level.
Although one committee member, independent TD Mr Finian McGrath, wanted a tribunal of inquiry in the Republic, the remainder supported the view expressed by the chairman, Mr Seán Ardagh, that an inquiry should take place in the UK "because the perpetrators, information and witnesses are outside this jurisdiction".
Mr McGrath's view was shared by representatives of the victims of the bombings and those who lost relatives.
However, the report says that while a public inquiry under the Tribunal of Inquiries Act, 1921, in this jurisdiction would have represented "the preferred form of inquiry", such an inquiry could not compel the attendance of witnesses or demand documents outside the jurisdiction. Committee sources said they believed a tribunal here would run into the same problems as Mr Justice Barron encountered when seeking access to documents from the British authorities.
But if the British government has indeed withheld relevant information, why would they now set up an inquiry that would compel them to produce it? Committee members said privately they accepted that the British and Northern Ireland authorities had no present intention of providing any further co-operation.
Neither Northern Secretary Mr Paul Murphy nor two predecessors accepted invitations to give evidence before the committee. Mr Murphy's assurance - "I have personally ensured that the information has been provided in the fullest possible manner, consistent with my responsibilities to protect national security and the lives of individuals" - suggests there are relevant documents that have not been revealed.
The stated hope of the committee is that the intervention of the Taoiseach with Mr Blair will help change their attitude. And if it doesn't, the committee recommends what would be a dramatic development in these days of London/Dublin cordiality: the institution of proceedings by the Government at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg asking the court to require the British to set up an inquiry.
The Oireachtas Committee began hearings on January 20th, having received Mr Justice Barron's report on his investigation into the bombings. That report was unable to reach a definitive conclusion on collusion, but said it was likely members of the RUC or UDR took part in the preparations for the bombings, and it was "neither fanciful nor absurd" to suggest they were involved in the actual attacks.
Mr Justice Barron's report also made clear his frustration about the dearth of information from the British authorities, although the correspondence with the Northern Ireland Office had "undoubtedly produced some useful information".
The Taoiseach told the committee he found it "hard to believe" there were not MI5 and MI6 reports on the atrocity that could have been useful.
The committee has concurred with the broad Barron conclusion: "The probability of collusion is exceptionally high."