International Co-operation (Omagh Bombing Inquiry) Bill 2026: Committee Stage
Seanad Éireann — 2026-05-19
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Conor Murphy (SF), Industrial and Commercial Panel

I move amendment No. 10:
In page 7, to delete lines 7 to 11 and substitute the following:
“(5) A relevant head to whom a request for assistance is made shall notify the former office holder of the request. The consent in writing of the former office holder shall be required only where the former office holder demonstrates that answering the specified question would give rise to a substantial and objectively reasonable risk of prejudice to their legal rights or to the performance of functions lawfully exercised during their tenure. A refusal to consent shall—
(a) be provided in writing,
(b) set out the specific grounds relied upon, and
(c) be subject to review by the Chairman for adequacy and reasonableness.”.
I will speak subsequently to amendment No. 20. Amendment No. 10 is about ensuring the process delivers truth for families. It clarifies that a former officeholder may withhold consent only where they can show substantial and objectively reasonable risk to their legal rights for past lawful functions. Any refusal must be written, specify the grounds relied on and can be reviewed by the inquiry chair for adequacy and reasonableness. This safeguard is important because it limits refusals to genuine demonstrable risks, requires written justification and ensures the inquiry chair can review decisions, strengthening transparency and preventing unjustified barriers to the provision of evidence.
Amendment No. 20 again seeks to strengthen the effectiveness of legislation in helping the families of victims and survivors of the Omagh bomb in getting to the truth. It provides that a former Minister's consent is only required where they can show substantial objectively reasonable risk to their legal rights or past lawful functions. Any refusal must be written, set out the specific grounds and may be reviewed by the inquiry chair for adequacy and reasonableness.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-05-19/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:57+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-05-19