asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has satisfied himself with the level of accompaniment of the UDR by the RUC.
Written Answers. - RUC Accompaniment of UDR.
38.
As I indicated in my reply to a similar question from Deputy Higgins on 16 June last, the accompaniment by the RUC of UDR patrols which come into direct contact with the community is a policy to which I attach a high priority. As the Deputy knows, the principle of RUC accompaniment in such circumstances has already been agreed by the British authorities, so what is involved now is the implementation of that principle. I have been availing of the framework of the intergovernmental conference to press for the full implementation of this principle with all possible speed. I have also availed of the conference machinery to raise specific cases of unaccompanied UDR patrols which have been brought to my attention, and am continuing, and will continue, to pursue such cases vigorously in the conference.
The Deputy asks if I am satisfied with the level of accompaniment. I am satisfied that some progress has been made, but clearly I would wish to see more, and at a more rapid pace; as I indicated in my reply to Deputy Higgins in June, I will be fully satisfied only when all UDR patrols are accompanied by the RUC on all operations involving contact with the community. This remains my position and this is what I will be pressing for as strongly as possible in the conference framework.