Seanad Report/Jimmy Walsh: An examination should be undertaken to ascertain if it would be possible to revoke the "most insensitive" planning permission for a pub at the location of the Stardust fire disaster, Brian Hayes, Fine Gael leader in the House said.
It had to be in the worst possible taste and the most insensitive possible decision by a planning authority to permit a pub to be re-established on that particular site. "I think most people in the country were horrified when that decision was taken." It should be looked at again.
Mr Hayes said that the State's treatment of the families affected by the Stardust tragedy had been appalling over the past quarter of a century. They had had to persuade the State, kicking and screaming, in an effort to bring some closure to this whole issue.
Closure had to be achieved, whether by a parliamentary investigation, or commission of inquiry, or the engaging of a senior barrister to look at new evidence. Tuesday's RTÉ Prime Time programme cast serious doubts on the findings of the Keane Tribunal of Investigation.
A re-examination of the issues surrounding the tragedy was not just a matter for the Government, because the original inquiry had been established on an all-party basis. In view of this, he would like the leader of the House to consult with the group leaders on what new steps might be taken.
Joe O'Toole (Ind) said the Stardust issue had once again caught the public imagination. He was not sure whether some kind of inquiry would bring closure, though he thought it was a positive idea. What caused him great concern was that they were being told that there had been no improvement in the number of fire safety officers. The House should be told what had been done since the Stardust tragedy.
Mr O'Toole said he would like to have some understanding as to why such an insensitive decision had been made as regards the licensed premises. "To me, this was absolutely, in Senator Hayes's words, in the worst possible taste. It's quite appalling and I believe it should be objected to at this late stage, whoever it is that can do that."
The leader of the House, Mary O'Rourke said the Taoiseach had opened up the possibility of a meeting between himself and the Minister for Justice and the families, and, if there was new evidence, to look at the case again.
What had changed was the interpretation of some of the evidence that had been given almost 25 years ago. She thought that that would fit into the review of the papers that had been amassed since then.