A truth and reconciliation commission to consider the Barron report was suggested by the Fine Gael spokesman on foreign affairs, Mr Gay Mitchell.
He said that with a view to making political progress in Northern Ireland, and on the island generally, those whose loved ones died in the Monaghan and Dublin bombings deserved truth and justice.
"In pursuing that we should not correct an injustice by doing another injustice to the reputations of others by denigrating them when their duty was to ensure that the terrible turmoil that happened in Northern Ireland, particularly in the 1970s and 1980s, did not spill over into the South," he said.
"In that regard, would the Minister for Foreign Affairs agree that it would help the process if the Barron report, and the output of the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights, were to be the first tranche of a truth and reconciliation commission examination ?
"If such a commission were established, it could go on to hold hearings about the atrocities at Omagh, La Mon and Enniskillen. It might have more success than a public inquiry, which might not reach conclusions."
Mr Mitchell added that such a commission, with powers to grant amnesty and recommend compensation, might allow for everybody involved over the 30-year period to render an account, make amends where appropriate and seek forgiveness.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, said he had not given detailed consideration to establishing such a commission.
"As envisaged by the Good Friday agreement, the implementation group has been discussing ways and means in which the victims of violence can be acknowledge and helped under the process of peace and reconciliation," he said.
Welcoming the publication of the Barron report, he said he hoped it would go some way to giving answers to the families of those killed and injured in the Dublin and Monaghan bombings.
On the outcome of the Northern elections, Mr Cowen said the institutions were the democratic core of the Belfast Agreement.
"As I said, more than 70 per cent of the people voted for parties which support the agreement. We respect the mandates of all parties, and I am encouraged by some public comments made in the aftermath of the elections in which people seem to be exploring how they can constructively engage within the framework of a review.
"In recognising the mandates, I hope there can be a full recognition of the responsibilities that are now thrust upon us all to make this work consistent with the agreement that was endorsed by the people on both sides of the Border in 1998."
