Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Eddie McGrady (Social Democratic & Labour Party). It was answered on Wednesday, 24 March 2010 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

National Security Protocols

Question: I thank the Secretary of State for his reply. The intelligence services withheld information from the investigation into the tragedy of the Omagh bombing, and allegations have recently been made about the intelligence services' role in the death of Kieran Doherty in Derry. What further discussions will he have with the Northern Ireland Executive to prevent such things from happening and to facilitate future investigations? He told the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee that it would become more likely that the intelligence services would co-operate, but more likely is not good enough.

Answer: I am sure that the House will want to pay tribute to the hon. Gentleman, who has been an assiduous Member of Parliament for 23 years and was a founding member of his party. We wish him well in the future. I am of course considering the Select Committee's report, but I remind the House that Sir Peter Gibson published his report last year and that after he examined the information available on the day, he concluded that""to the extent that any relevant intelligence was derived from interception, it was shared with RUC…and Special Branch South promptly and fully"."

Secondary information