asked the Minister for Justice if he will state in what circumstances and on whose authority numerous groups of British Army personnel have been allowed to return across the Border to the Six Counties, having been apprehended by security forces in Twenty-six County territory; and whether in all cases arms carried by the British were confiscated and, if not, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - British Army Incursions.
31.
As I am sure the Deputy will appreciate, it is not possible for me to deal with the cases mentioned in the question without commenting, if not explicitly at least by necessary implication, on another case that is now before the courts. Any such comment would of course be highly improper in relation to a matter that is sub judice.
Since the case, which is sub judice, cannot be discussed, and that I appreciate, but it is one of approximately hundreds of cases I am thinking about here, surely it is ludicrous we cannot have the definite information I am seeking from the Minister, particularly in view of the fact that Mr. Rees, even on the one case that is sub judice here, had no inhibitions about talking about it right away.
I am not aware of any statement by the person mentioned by the Deputy, but, as far as we are concerned here, the Deputy will appreciate, as I said, that if I were to deal with the points raised in the question, if not explicitly at least by necessary implication in regard to a case that is sub judice, and the Deputy concedes this, that would be improper.
I find the niceties introduced into this somewhat in contrast to the actual situation. Might I ask the Minister whether in fact, apart from the case we may not discuss, hundreds of other similar situations have arisen and that damn all was done about them and the boys were escorted back and waved good bye and probably given candy before they went home.
There were many instances of accidental incursions——
Accidental, my foot!
——which were dealt with as they arose. The Minister for Foreign Affairs gave details of these here some days ago and I do not propose to add to what he said.
May I ask the Minister, as he with full deliberation and consideration referred to these crossings as accidental, surely he is not so naive as to believe that, when everybody else believes they were deliberate and provocative, and I do not know what else, and we treat them as if they were something we should not notice?
If Deputy Blaney has information to substantiate his allegations he should convey it to the proper authority.
(Interruptions.)
Question No. 32 in the names of Deputy John O'Leary and Deputy Denis Gallagher.