The Taoiseach has again extended the deadline for the completion of the report by the commission investigating the Dublin and Monaghan 1974 bombings after new witnesses - possibly connected to the Northern Ireland security forces - agreed to talk.
The commission said in an unexpected second interim report yesterday that certain "entities" whose co-operation has been sought for some time had now said they were willing to meet it. The commission did not say who these "entities" were, but they are believed to be from Britain or Northern Ireland.
The Government has been critical of the failure of the UK authorities to hand over documentation which the inquiry believes might be of use. There have been frequent but unsubstantiated claims that members of the Northern Ireland security services provided assistance to those who planted the bombs.
Last November the Government gave the commission investigating the bombings, which killed 33 people on May 17th, 1974, an extra 11 weeks to produce a final report on alleged inadequacies of the Garda investigation at the time. This would have expired on January 31st. This second extension was announced yesterday after barrister Patrick MacEntee SC, the sole member of the commission, asked for a further extension of one month.
Yesterday's report from the commission said the new development was important enough to seek an extension. If the new offer of co-operation from these "entities" was not taken up, "a significant opportunity to advance this investigation would be lost" and "the potential fruits of this line of investigation may not be available in the future".
The report said the investigative work of the commission "is at an advanced stage and nearing its conclusion".
Last November, in its first interim report, the commission said it had asked the British government that it be allowed to meet certain personnel and to see certain documents. A response was awaited and "the commission considers that a further reasonable period of time should be afforded to facilitate the United Kingdom government consideration of this request". It is not known whether this new offer of co-operation arises directly from this request.
The commission was set up by the Government last April to obtain a quick report into alleged inadequacies in the Garda investigation. The matters to be investigated include the reason the investigation into the bombings was discontinued at what the families of victims say was a very early stage, and the reason why specific leads were not followed up.
This is the first commission of investigation established under legislation passed last year to introduce faster inquiries into matters of public concern.
The legislation came after criticism of tribunals for taking years to inquire into matters of public controversy and for expending vast sums on legal bills.