Durkan attends Dáil meeting on Saville Report

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Durkan said: "This was very much a presentation by the families reflecting on their campaign and the report itself, including David Cameron's statement and all of the wonderful events in Derry.

"They acknowledged the contribution of past Taoisigh and Ministers as well as the present Taoiseach and current Ministers in supporting the families in not only helping to get the Inquiry established but their statements of support since.

"They acknowledged that the families might have different emphases on the issue of possible persecutions and would have to await the consideration being given to the contents of the report by the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) in the North and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in London."

He said the families argued Saville was worded to highlight that a number of soldiers could be open to perjury charges in respect of their evidence to the Inquiry itself.

"The family representatives stressed the strengths and clarity of Lord Saville's verdict on the innocence of all of the victims. They also pointed out that some questions have been raised about the generality of his conclusions which avoided the assigning of any guilt in relation to the planning and control of the British army on that day or accountability thereafter.

"The issue of the honours for some of the officers involved, including Colonel Wilford who was so heavily criticised in the report was reflected several times.

"The family representatives told the Committee they believed that the British system should withdraw these honours to underscore David Cameron's acknowledgement of the wrong that had been done.

"All the members of the Committee who spoke, including the three Northern MPs, paid great tribute to the determination of the families over many years to tell the truth of that day."