asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the shootings in Gibraltar on 6 March 1988 and the subsequent television programme related to the shootings, were discussed at the recent meeting of the Anglo-Irish Conference.
35.
Written Answers. - Gibraltar Shootings.
34.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the assertions made by witnesses on two television programmes about the Gibraltar killings and on the statement attributed to the Attorney-General of Gibraltar, that he is prepared to bring murder charges against individuals if the evidence produced at the inquest warrants such charges.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 35 together.
I stated in the Dáil on 8 March that while the Government condemned all forms of violence and recognised the necessity for security forces to take all reasonable measures to combat terrorism, they were gravely perturbed at the shooting dead of these people in Gibraltar in circumstances where it appears from reports that they could have been arrested by the security forces involved. I also said the Government were seeking full details from the British authorities on all aspects of the shootings.
There have been contacts with the British authorities in the Anglo-Irish Conference, in the conference secretariat and in the diplomatic channel. As I also told the House on 16 March the next important step is the holding of the coroner's inquest. Pending this inquest, I do not wish to comment on the assertions made by witnesses on television programmes. The Government have already made it clear, however, that they expect that the fullest possible information will be provided at the inquest and that, if it should prove necessary thereafter, any further inquiry or legal action which might be needed to uphold the rule of law, without fear or favour, will be instituted.