asked the Taoiseach if, in the course of his recent discussions with the SDLP, any reference was made by the delegation to allegations about brutality carried out against Irish citizens in the Six Counties by the British Army or the RUC.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Brutality Allegations.
1.
A joint communique was issued following the meeting between certain members of the Government and a delegation for the SDLP on 22nd September last. It would not be in accordance with practice to reveal other details of the discussions.
Has the Taoiseach, as the Minister responsible for Northern affairs, any intention of inquiring into the validity of suggestions from the television, later established by the affidavit of a responsible Belfast general practitioner, that brutality took place? Does the Taoiseach intend to intervene and make any inquiries whatever?
Whenever supporting evidence is given of these allegations that would justify complaints being made, the complaints are usually made through the proper channels.
If a prima facie case is put forward about a number of people in respect of brutal treatment by the RUC and the Army in the North, would the Taoiseach consider investigating these charges if they are submitted to him?
I would not have the necessary machinery available to me to investigate charges of that nature. As I already said, where we get allegations that are supported with the kind of evidence that would sustain a complaint being made, they are usually made through the proper channels.
Is there not a precedent already established in relation to the Strasbourg case where the evidence was submitted and validated by the Taoiseach's Government?
We cannot have a discussion on this matter.
Why should the Taoiseach not follow that precedent in this regard? What is the difference between that situation and this situation which was proved in Strasbourg?
My Government took that initiative. The case in Strasbourg is not yet brought to completion.
But the case against the British, the British Army and the British police was established, was it not?
Question No. 2.
This is what is called standing idly by.