asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had further discussions in regard to sectarian murders with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland since his meeting with him on 19th April last.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sectarian Murders.
31.
The question of sectarian assassinations, which the Government regard with the gravest concern, has been raised with the British Authorities on numerous occasions since we took office. It was raised most recently by me during a meeting which I had with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 15th May last when I reiterated our concern at the horrifying continuation of sectarian killings and our view that effective action should be taken by the British Government to deal with this campaign.
Is the Minister satisfied that the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has taken efficient and sufficient action in this regard?
I am satisfied that he has taken very considerable additional action designed to deal with this and that it has yielded some concrete results in terms of arrests and convictions. So long as sectarian assassinations continue, nobody can be satisfied that the action is sufficient and, to a significant degree, they still continue.
The Minister stated that a number of arrests have taken place. The problem is the escalation of sectarian violence. This is of more concern than the arrests immediately afterwards.
I have not got in front of me the exact figure over a period of time. I would think it remains at a disturbingly high level. I would not think it is escalating in the sense of increasing in intensity. The measures taken by the British Government have, perhaps, limited it but have by no means eliminated the problem. Much more remains to be done.
In view of the fact that the British Government are wont to exercise pressure on this Government from time to time when it suits them, does the Minister not think that it would be appropriate in these horrible circumstances that he and his Government should be far more zealous in exerting pressure on the British Government at the moment and that a sufficient number of representations have not been made at the meetings since April and May?
Over a period of a month we made five sets of representations on this matter and, since then, considerable additional action has been taken. It is difficult to judge the efficacy of this action without allowing some time for the results to show. It certainly does not appear to have ended the problem but it does appear to have made some impact on it. It is difficult to assess this. We will continue to press the British Government on the matter which is of the most vital concern to us all.
Has the Minister received any assurances written or verbal in response to his approach?
Yes. Following our representations we received information on action to be taken, which has been taken, with a view to intensifying and controlling the situation on the ground. I do not know whether it is fair to say there has been a response to our representations but things have happened following our representations.
The Minister is not sure whether they were consequential.
Could the Minister indicate practical steps and practical results arising from efforts by the British authorities to deal with these assassinations?
I do not think I could give details. The Deputy will be aware from Press reports of intensified patrolling in the areas between areas occupied by people of different religions. Obviously, this is an area in which a detailed account of security measures could only prove counter-productive.
Three Deputies have risen. We cannot debate this matter today. This must be a final supplementary. Deputy O'Kennedy.
In the course of those representations——
(Interruptions.)
I have allowed a series of supplementaries.
I will obey the Chair but I was on my feet before and I could not ask a supplementary. I did not ask a supplementary today. Now I am not allowed to ask a supplementary. What kind of treatment is that from the Chair?
Deputies cannot say that the Chair has treated them ungenerously.
(Interruptions.)
Your boss is looking at you through the window. Be careful.
Are you looking around at yours to see what he will do?
If Deputies want to debate these matters they had better change the Standing Orders for Question Tme.
I obey the Chair better than the Parliamentary Secretary.
My question will be precise.
It must be.
In the course of the consultations the Government had with the British Government, did they request the British Government at any one time to outlaw the euphemistically called para-military organisations, but in reality a different type, the UDA, and to treat them in the same fashion as any other unlawful organisation?
That is a separate question.
It is related.
It is closely related.
Will the Minister answer the question?
I am always reluctant to answer a question from recollection in case I should mislead the House.
Is Deputy Wilson offering? He is not.
I have a wise suggestion for the Minister.
This is Question Time, Deputy.
I will put it in the form of a question. Will the Minister consider requesting the news media to refrain from naming the religion of the person assassinated to prevent a reprisal murder?
The BBC might do that.
I have doubts about the efficacy of that in terms of getting such an agreement. I have some doubts as to whether it is a legitimate request to put. However, I shall reflect on the Deputy's suggestion.
(Interruptions.)
Will Deputy Davern please be fair to the Chair?
I am being fair to the Chair.
Question No. 32. There must be finality at some stage.