O'Loan report deserves to be supported, says Taoiseach

The Taoiseach has described the Northern Ireland Ombudsman's report which sharply criticised the Omagh bomb investigation as fair and deserving of support.

In the Dáil yesterday Mr Ahern also reiterated his support for the Ombudsman's call for an outside investigation into the differences between her report and the sharp rebuttal of it from the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Sir Ronnie Flanagan.

Responding to questions from the Fine Gael leader, Mr Michael Noonan, Mr Ahern said he supported the Ombudsman's view that the recent appointment by Sir Ronnie of someone from Britain to look at the disagreements was not adequate.

"On that issue, and based on what the Ombudsman's report says, we have said we support the Ombudsman and that somebody from outside should examine this."

He said his view was "that the Ombudsman's report seems fair and we believe it deserves support . . . I have read the sections where Ms O'Loan has given the details of her case and have also read the rebuttal of that. I accept that it is not easy to examine these differences.

"The British government is aware that our view is that a third party should look at this. It would be wrong of us to press that view until the Policing Board has had its opportunity to examine the issue. It represents both communities so should have that opportunity."

Mr Ahern said the three arms of policing in Northern Ireland - the Police Service, the Policing Board and the Ombudsman - were important aspects of the Good Friday agreement. "It is important that they all work together to ensure that policing functions properly. The board will consider both the Ombudsman's and the Chief Constable's reports next week. I hope the matter will be dealt with in a sane and sensible manner."

He said the Ombudsman had an independent role and the Chief Constable also had a right to state his case. "However, it should be done in a calm way with both cases examined by the Policing Board without damaging the early stages of the new beginning. If it does not happen in that way, it could pose a difficult problem for policing in Northern Ireland, with a negative influence on not just the Catholic community but also the wider community there. It must be handled delicately."

Mr Ahern said the Policing Board had shown itself to be sensitive to the views of both the Ombudsman and the Chief Constable. "I have seen both reports. There are conflicts in some areas but it would seem they can be resolved and I hope that will be done by February 5th or within the next couple of weeks."