With your permission and the leave of the House, I should like to say we have all been deeply distressed by the 830 deaths and the many thousands of other casualties inflicted in Northern Ireland since 1969. Even against this appalling background, the latest atrocity-the killing of six more people and the terrible injuries inflicted on many others in Coleraine—has come as a shock to everyone here. The pointless, self-defeating violence and counter-violence must be eradicated and the clear will of the people of Northern Ireland and the Republic for a peaceful and just solution must be made to prevail against the mindless wreckers and destroyers. Our sympathy goes out to the victims and the relatives and to all who have suffered in the tragedy of Northern Ireland. My Government are determined for our part to continue to do everything in our power to eliminate violence in Ireland.
Northern Ireland Situation: Statement by Taoiseach.
On behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party, I wish to join in the expression of sympathy with the relatives of those who were killed and injured in the Coleraine bomb blast yesterday, and also in the Taoiseach's condemnation of those responsible for it.
Those who engage in this type of activity, of blowing innocent people to bits or maiming them for life, no matter what cause they purport to serve, deserve no sympathy or support. They certainly do not have sympathy in the immediate aftermath of their reprehensible actions and they should not get it if and when they are ultimately apprehended. There must be no ambivalence or double-think in this matter. The revulsion we feel and the condemnation we express when these horrible deeds happen and are fresh in our minds should not abate but should persist. No false accolade of heroism or misguided tolerance should be extended at any time to those who commit those deeds.
While I do not distinguish between acts of violence committed on either side of the Border, I welcome the Taoiseach's statement that the Government are determined to do everything in their power to eliminate violence in Ireland, especially in the light of the threats of extremists on both sides of the political divide in Northern Ireland to extend violence to the South. I hope there will be no lessening in the determination which the Taoiseach mentioned and no dilution in the legislation necessary to deal with that violence and with those who cause it.