The long-awaited Barron report into the Dublin-Monaghan bombings is to be published without delay, the Taoiseach said this evening. The report on the 1974 bombings was beingpresented to the Mr Ahern tonight and will be studied by the Governmentbefore it is made public.
Mr Ahern said it would be published once it had been brought before theCabinet.
He said: "I intend to bring it to the Cabinet veryquickly, if not next week maybe the week after and then we will release it.
"We are not going to delay it for any length of time."Asked whether he thought anything would prevent the report from beingreleased, such as security issues, Mr Ahern replied: "No, I don't think so.
"I don't suspect that there will be anything of a security nature. We'll justhave to check that, there might be names that we would have to look at."
The report will address allegations that the British security servicescolluded with the attackers - or at least had foreknowledge of the bombs.
Mr Justice Barron's independent investigation into the bombings was originallyexpected a year ago.
Ms Margaret Urwin, spokeswoman for victims' group Justice for the Forgotten,welcomed Mr Ahern's comments.
She said: "I think it is very positive that the Taoiseach has said that. Wewould be very happy with that time scale.
"Certainly the report will go some way to redressing the wrong that was done,but we will be continuing our demands for a public tribunal of inquiry.
"We are all still committed to going forward to that."I think there is an issue of public accountability for our members. Theyreally want to see this happen in public."
Inquests recently reopened into the deaths of the 26 people who died when twocar bombs exploded in Dublin and seven who died when another bombexploded in the border town of Monaghan.
Both inquests were adjourned until all evidence has been gathered.
Fianna Fáil TD Pat Carey said he was relieved that the report wasfinally being presented to the Taoiseach.
He said: "I hope it will answer the many unanswered questions that havehaunted the families of victims for almost three decades.
"The grief felt by the families of those murdered in the bombings has beencompounded by the mystery that surrounds this case, particularly in relation tothe serious allegations of collusion between the British security services andthe bombers."
Sinn Féin's Mr Caoimhghin O Caolain repeated hiscall for a public inquiry into the bombings.