Vol. 256 No. 8
asked the Taoiseach if he had seen newspaper accounts and received (a) a documented report from a barrister and (b) a statement from Catholic clergy, regarding alleged torture of prisoners in Palace Street Barracks, Belfast and elsewhere in the Six Counties, carried out under the direction of a British Army officer (name supplied) against whom similar allegations were made when he was serving in Kenya; and what action at international level he proposes to take in the matter.
2.
asked the Taoiseach if he is aware that British soldiers in Northern Ireland are using violence against innocent people when searching their houses; and what action he intends to take in the matter.
3.
asked the Taoiseach if his attention has been drawn to newspaper photographs (details supplied) of a man (name supplied) whose wife was shot dead by British troops recently; if he is aware that this man was brutally assaulted by British soldiers; and what action, if any, he intends taking in the matter.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 1, 2 and 3 together.
I have seen newspaper accounts and received reports privately about allegations of torture and of inhuman and degrading treatment in Northern Ireland. As indicated by the Minister for Foreign Affairs in Dáil Éireann on the 21st October, we were collecting evidence on this subject even before the introduction of internment. Information continues to come in and is being closely examined with a view to considering whether recourse may be had to the European Commission on Human Rights.
I wonder has the Taoiseach had an opportunity of reading the report of Amnesty International and does he propose to make any representations to international bodies with which this country is associated and ensure effective inquiry into the Amnesty International findings?
I have not had time yet to read fully the report published by Amnesty International——
Too busy.
——but I can assure the Deputy that all relevant considerations and all information available will be taken into account.
Has the Taoiseach got the gist of what is contained in the report?
I have a copy of it on my brief but I did not have a chance to read through it yet.
It is not much good on the Taoiseach's brief if he has not read through it.
Would the Taoiseach not admit that there is now a mounting file of evidence and allegations of such a nature as to provide a prima facie case of brutality and torture in contravention of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights? Why the delay? Why is it taking so long? Is it because the Government are beset with internal troubles and have not time to attend to this?
Question No. 4.
Is the Taoiseach not interested in the North now or is he not prepared to reply? Is he sitting idly by and not doing anything about it?
Order. Deputy Dr. O'Connell.
The Taoiseach will, no doubt, be aware of the notorious record of this particular Major-General. Would he not think it desirable to make special representations to the British Government about his actions in view of his past record both in Cyprus and in Kenya?
This, in my opinion, is one further incident that adds to the picture of which there is so much evidence available at the moment.
Question No. 4.
Could the Taoiseach indicate how long it is since he received the first allegations which are now on the file and whether he is now in a position at least to make representations in regard to the earlier allegations which were made?
In my reply I indicated that before internment, that would be shortly after detention, these reports came to me and these and later ones are being considered still.
How long will it take before the Taoiseach gets to the first one?
I cannot say that.
Would the Taoiseach consider asking that this man, in particular, should be removed from Northern Ireland?
I am not going to deal with individuals in this context.
