Vol. 255 No. 13
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the many allegations made about the activities of Scottish regiments in Derry and Belfast in recent months, he will make representations to the British authorities seeking the withdrawal of such regiments in an effort to reduce tension and confrontation between them and the people of these areas.
18.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, further to the approaches of the Government to the British authorities seeking an impartial inquiry into the recent deaths of two civilians in Derry following shootings by British troops, any fresh initiatives have been taken by the Government in this matter with a view to meeting the wishes of the people of Derry and the non-Unionist Opposition Parties in the north.
19.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the statement by the Stormont Minister of State at the Ministry of Home Affairs that the British Army in the north may have to take a tougher line with rioters and that he feels it may be necessary to shoot even more in the forthcoming months in Northern Ireland; and, if so, if he will indicate his attitude in the matter.
20.
andMr. Begley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had any communication with the British Government regarding a statement by the Northern Ireland Minister of State at the Ministry of Home Affairs that further shootings may be necessary; and the nature of the reply received.
21.
andMr. Begley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if an effort has been made to ascertain whether the recently reported remarks of the Northern Ireland Minister of State at the Ministry of Home Affairs reflect the attitude of the Westminster Government towards current events there.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 together.
Our views in all these matters have been made known to the British authorities.
May I express surprise at the Minister's reply? Would the Minister accept, in relation to Question No. 17, that in the extremely tense confrontations which occur in some areas of Derry and Belfast, it is most unconducive to the reduction of such tensions to have there the regiments referred to in the question? They are not renowned, to say the least, for their sympathy with or understanding of either Irish or minority aspirations and they should be withdrawn from these places. Has the Minister made any direct representations either to Stormont or Westminster to the effect that the Scottish regiments would be best removed from those areas in the interest of the public generally?
If the House is to serve a useful function in what is a very serious situation, we could agree that if and when I make representations, they are made on a basis of a certain confidentiality. I do not think we would have any success if we pretended that we are running the situation at second hand. I am willing to express my opinion or my knowledge in this House that, traditionally, the Scottish troops are bad news with the minority but I do not think we should try to give the impression that we are making every decision affecting the situation. I know that the troops have been withdrawn from the Bligh Lane area in Derry.
In the light of what the Minister has said, I wonder if he will agree that it might be a useful exercise for consultations to be set up and to continue on a regular basis between the Minister and the spokesmen of the Opposition Parties in this area so that people would have means of knowing what was going on in relation to matters which would not be ventilated in the general interest? We appreciate the delicacy of the situation and none of us would wish to do anything that would upset matters.
Within the limits set in the question already answered by the Taoiseach, perhaps the Taoiseach would arrange this with the leaders of the parties. It may be part of the solution which the Taoiseach has already offered to discuss.
Nobody wishes to exacerbate any situation but in relation to Question No. 19, in view of the serious public concern that resulted from that statement by Mr. John Taylor and since we have no idea of what representations were made would the Minister agree that the comment made by the Minister for State at Stormont was destructively irresponsible and that that kind of incitement to violence can in no way be conducive to bringing about——
We cannot have a debate on the question.
I must press the matter.
All the questions relate to our representations to the British Government. If the Deputy wishes to have an expression of opinion, it is unlikely that what this gentleman said expresses the opinions of the majority in Northern Ireland. It was extremely unhelpful and would be calculated to raise the temperature in a situation that is quite dangerous. I am not sure that expressing these opinions here are of any benefit except here.
