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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 Mar 1982

Vol. 333 No. 3

Private Notice Question. - Irish Nationals in EI Salvador.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will express this House's horror and grave concern caused by the circumstances surrounding the death last week of four Dutch journalists in EI Salvador; and if, in view of the deteriorating situation in that country and the elections taking place there this coming Sunday, he will clearly advise the Government of EI Salvador that we regard them as responsible for the safety of all Irish nationals at present in that country and that we will not tolerate any threats being made against any Irish journalists at present reporting on the situation in EI Salvador.

The deaths of the four Dutch journalists in EI Salvador last week are but the latest in a litany of outrages in that country. The Government view with the greatest concern this latest act of violence and in particular the circumstances in which it occurred. On behalf of the Government and people of Ireland I extend my sympathy to the relations and friends of the four journalists.

With regard to the position of Irish citizens in EI Salvador, the latest information available to my Department is that one Irish journalist and three missionaries are there. The Government consider it to be the responsibility of the Government of EI Salvador to ensure the safety of these people. However, it is clear that that Government have scant control of their own forces. In the event of the situation deteriorating to the extent that evacuation of Irish citizens becomes necessary, the Government have made arrangements for this purpose. The Irish honorary consul in San Salvador has also been instructed to offer all possible assistance to Irish citizens.

The Government are not aware of any specific threat being made against any Irish journalist. I have, however, noted the assurances given personally by President Duarte to journalists in EI Salvador in the aftermath of the killings of the Dutch journalists that the Government will do all in their power to protect them.

I welcome the Minister's statement in that regard. I think there is agreement on all sides of the House in relation to the difficulties of that country. Is the Minister aware that the so-called death list of journalists has been circulating in San Salvador for approximately 10 days now on which allegedly are listed the names of 60 journalists? Is he aware whether the Irish journalist referred to has her name on that death list or whether any Irish journalists' names have appeared on such a death list? Will the Minister ensure that our concern about the circulation of such documents, whether they affect Irish or other Journalists, is expressed to the Government in San Salvador?

My Department have no information whatsoever of any threat against any Irish journalist or any other journalist. I will ask that the matter be checked out immediately. I inform the Deputy that this matter was raised at the European Ministers for Foreign Affairs meeting yesterday and the Dutch Minister on behalf of his Government informed us that they were conducting an inquiry into the deaths of the four journalists and that we would have a further report from him on the matter next week. I am not aware of any death list and in particular the inclusion of the name of any Irish journalist on any death list at present.

A final supplementary.

Could I ask the Minister whether the concern expressed by all sides of this House and in this country about the general situation in EI Salvador was communicated to the American Government and to President Reagan when the Minister was present in that country last week?

That is a different question.

It arises directly out of the question. In particular, was concern expressed to the American Government about the general situation and was our view in this country as to how the problems in El Salvador should be dealt with made known to them?

The policy of this Government and the previous Government has been expounded on a number of occasions by the Irish Ambassador to the UN. If the Deputy wants to know what transpired at the meeting between the Taoiseach and the President of the US on St. Patrick's Day last I suggest that he take part in the debate tomorrow morning or that he place a question to the Taoiseach on the matter.

A Cheann Comhairle——

That question is over now and I am not going to accept any more supplementaries on it.

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