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<p>We all remember vividly where we were when we heard the news of that awful atrocity
in August 1998, and I pay tribute to Michael Gallagher and the other Omagh families
who have pursued their case with great dignity and tenacity.</p><p> </p><p>The Government
is doing everything in its power to ensure that the Omagh Bombing Inquiry, under the
expert guidance of Lord Turnbull, provides answers. Along with the significant powers
provided to it under the Inquiries Act 2005, the Inquiry will need the cooperation
of Irish agencies to be as effective as possible.</p><p> </p><p>I raised this directly
with the Irish Foreign Minister and Tánaiste at the British-Irish Intergovernmental
Conference on Monday 29 April, and I am pleased that he committed to full Irish Government
co-operation with the Omagh bombing inquiry. The Government’s focus is on ensuring
that the inquiry has every chance of success, and the Irish Government’s role in that
is crucial.</p><p> </p><p>At the last two British-Irish Intergovernmental Conferences,
the Secretary of State and I pressed the Irish Government to cooperate fully with
both the Omagh inquiry and the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information
Recovery to provide information for victims and families who desire it. The Secretary
of State also wrote to the Tánaiste in January, challenging the Irish Government’s
own approach to addressing legacy issues, including the number of Troubles-related
prosecutions brought in Ireland since April 1998.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
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