The early recovery and reburial of the bodies of people killed by the IRA will not be hampered by the passage of legislation allowing immunity against prosecution, the Tanaiste has said.
According to Ms Harney, the legislation granting legal impunity to people who may be implicated by the release of the bodies will be introduced in the Dail after Easter. The Government wanted to see proper burials as quickly as possible for the sake of the families.
This was "a very sensitive time", and it was right to allow some lapse before the legislation was brought before the House. The Bill was agreed in principle by Cabinet on Monday and would be similar to the law governing immunity for those decommissioning.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews, said it was hoped that the bodies of the "disappeared" would be returned to their families "in the name of whatever God they pray to".