Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams is to make a Dáil statement on the IRA’s 1983 murder of prison officer Brian Stack.

He said he had already dealt with the matter in substance and he would make a statement in the House if time was made available to him.

“But let me make it clear - I have never accused anyone of being a suspect in the murder of Brian Stack, because I don’t know who the suspects might be,” he added.

He was replying in the Dáil on Tuesday to Taoiseach Enda Kenny, who said Mr Adams should make a statement under privilege in the House.

“This is not fiction,’’ said Mr Kenny. “A man was murdered in cold blood and his killer is at large… people know who that murderer is.”

Mr Kenny said Mr Adams knew more about the killing than he did.

The Taoiseach said he would meet Mr Stack’s son, Austin.

‘Very serious matter’

“This is a very serious matter and is one that deserves to be cleared up once and for all,’’ he added.

“A murderer is at large, people know who he is.”

The issue was raised by Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, who said Mr Stack’s sons had resolutely denied they had given the Sinn Féin leader names allegedly associated with the killing, which the Sinn Féin leader said he passed to the Garda Commissioner.

“This is a live murder inquiry,’’ he added.

He said the “Provos know who did it’’ but were not answerable in the House.

Mr Adams accused Mr Martin of using his good faith in helping the Stack family in “a very, very opportunistic, cynical and contemptible way”.