Publication of the report into the 1974 Dublin/Monaghan bombings has been deferred until next February because new witnesses have indicated a willingness to co-operate with the inquiry.
The Taoiseach this evening granted the extension after a request from the sole member of the Commission of Investigation into the bombings, Mr Patrick McEntee SC.
The bombings in Dublin city and Monaghan town killed 33 people
The second Interim Report was published this evening. Under the heading "New Development", it said:
"The commission has, for some considerable time, sought the voluntary co-operation and assistance of certain entities and persons who the commission is satisfied are in a position to materially assist this investigation.
"On the 11th January 2006 a number of those entities indicated a willingness to meet with the commission to discuss certain matters relevant to the terms of reference of this investigation."
The brief report said the development was important and that time was needed to meet the new witnesses to satisfy the commission's terms of reference requiring it to "thoroughly investigate".
"The commission is satisfied that, were it to decline to accept this offer of co-operation a significant opportunity to advance this investigation would be lost."
The Taoiseach granted an extension until the February 28 th, as requested. The Commission may report sooner if the new "evidence, documentation and information requested" is not forthcoming.
The report into the three bombings in Dublin city and one in Monaghan town which killed 33 people was due at end of month.
The Commission was established last year after many years of campaigning and the publication in 2003 of a report into the bombings by Supreme Court judge Justice Henry Barron.
Justice Barron found that allegations of a cover-up involving security forces in the North and the gardai and government in the Republic was not proven but could not be ruled out.
The bombings on May 17th, 1974, exploded simultaneously in Parnell Street, South Leinster Street and Talbot Street in Dublin city centre at rush hour. Some 27 people were killed.
Later that night a bomb exploded in Monaghan town and six people died.
It is widely believed that Loylaists were responsible for the attacks and that the Monaghan bombing was a diversion to assist the perpetrators make good their escape across the border.