With the permission, of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 7 together.
The Government consider it of fundamental importance that interrogations by the security forces in Northern Ireland should be carried out with full respect at all times for the human and legal rights of the person held and avail of the contacts which take place with the British authorities both at political and official level to ensure that they are fully aware of the concern of the Government in this regard. In the course of these contacts we have been repeatedly assured that the British Government stand by the undertaking given by the British Attorney General before the European Court of Human Rights in February 1977 and that they do not authorise or condone any maltreatment of suspects. In the light of the recent and disquieting disclosures we have again raised the matter to reiterate our grave concern to the British Government. We have in particular asked what action will be taken by them in the context of the recently published Bennett Report to ensure that the conduct of the police and particularly those engaged in interrogation centres will be in accordance with the undertakings given to the European Court of Human Rights, and to the Irish Government, by the British Attorney General.
We have also expressed the view that it is only by such action that the entire community in Northern Ireland can be expected to increase their confidence in the process of law, something which the Government consider an essential precondition for normality in Northern Ireland and the evolution of political ideas towards reconciliation and peace.