Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said it is a "disappointing development" that no one is to be prosecuted in connection with the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane.
Responding to questions in the Dáil today, Mr Ahern noted that the North's Public Prosecution Service (PPS) had found insufficient evidence to prosecute any former or serving British soldier, RUC or PSNI officer as a result of the report of the Stevens inquiry.
Pat Finucane: gunned down by loyalists in 1989
He said the Government's view was that there should be an independent judicial inquiry into Mr Finucane's murder and that it had been its "long-standing position".
"It is disappointing that the Public Prosecution Service of Northern Ireland found that there is insufficient evidence at this time for further prosecutions arising out of the Stevens III report into collusion between loyalist paramilitaries and the security forces," Mr Ahern said, responding to Sinn Féin TD Caomhghín Ó Caoláin.
"This is clearly a further disappointing development . . . not least for the Finucane family, and it does not alter the need in our view, and our stated position will remain, for an independent inquiry to allay any of the concerns surrounding this case.
"If anything, it is the Government's view that this adds [to] the case for an independent inquiry, and that is the attitude that we will persist with," Mr Ahern added.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern
"The House passed a very clear motion in support of the Finucane family in the last Dáil and it called for a full independent judicial inquiry.
. . . We remain in touch with the Finucane family and continue to offer our full support in every way."
Mr Finucane was shot by loyalists in front of his family in their north Beflast home in 1989.
Although the Stevens inquiry found there was British army and RUC collusion with loyalist paramilitaries at around the time of Mr Finucane's murder, the prosecution service yesterday said there was insufficient evidence to prosecute anyone.
Former senior police officer John (now Lord) Stevens has carried out three investigations into what is termed the North's "Dirty War". A total of 46 people were convicted as a result of these inquiries including UDA member Ken Barrett, who admitted murdering Mr Finucane.
But no former or serving police officer nor British soldier was charged, notwithstanding the findings of collusion.