The Taoiseach has told relatives of the Dublin and Monaghan bomb victims that a public inquiry into the 1974 massacre has not been ruled out, Frank McNally reports.
Mr Ahern held a 90-minute meeting with a group of more than 30 family members and their representatives at Government Buildings last night, during which he suggested the formation of working groups between the relatives and the Department of the Taoiseach.
A spokesman for the Justice for the Forgotten Committee, Mr Don Mullan, described the meeting as "very constructive and positive" and praised Mr Ahern for being the first Taoiseach to meet the families of the bomb victims.
A Government spokesman said the meeting was occurring in the context of the forthcoming publication by former government minister Mr John Wilson of his report on victims of the Troubles.
Mr Mullan said the Taoiseach had noted that the report would deal with the Dublin and Monaghan bombs, but had not given any indication of what would it say but "we're was hopeful the Garda files will be made available to the families' legal representatives."