Vol. 542 No. 2
110 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in his discussions with the Northern Ireland political parties believed to have connections with paramilitary organisations, he has raised the ongoing use of punishment beatings and shootings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23729/01]
There is no place in a democratic society for so-called ‘punishment' beatings or shootings. The Government has consistently called for an immediate end to these deplorable acts of violence and our position has been communicated to all parties to the Good Friday Agreement. I believe there is a particular responsibility on those parties who may have influence with paramilitary organisations to help bring punishment attacks to an end.
Since the beginning of this year, 266 punishment attacks have been recorded – 163 have been attributed to loyalist paramilitaries and 103 have been attributed to republican paramilitaries. However, given the nature of these attacks, these official figures probably understate the full extent of the problem.
