Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 20 Jul 1989

Vol. 391 No. 7

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Birmingham Six.

12.

Mr. Enright

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government have been in communication with the British Prime Minister in connection with the conviction of the Birmingham Six in Britain, in view of the recent dissatisfaction and unease over a number of convictions in cases involving police officers who investigated and prosecuted the case against the Birmingham Six; if the Government have brought to the attention of the British Prime Minister the fact that evidence would appear to have been fabricated in a number of cases involving the police officers and some decisions involving some of the police officers would appear to have been set aside; and if he will outline the result of the discussions he has had with the British Government in this urgent matter.

41.

Mr. Barry

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action, if any, he has taken in relation to recent reports that a police officer who was involved in the Birmingham Six case and subsequently been involved in another case where the person charged was released because it was alleged his confession had been fabricated.

Mr. Collins

I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 41 together.

The Government's serious concern about a possible miscarriage of justice in the Birmingham Six case has repeatedly been made clear to the British authorities. The Tánaiste and former Minister for Foreign Affairs has conveyed our concern in a series of meetings with the British Home Secretary and I myself as Minister for Justice have also discussed the matter with Mr. Hurd.

The developments referred to by Deputies Barry and Enright can only add to existing concern about the soundness of the convictions in the Birmingham Six case. I have instructed our London Embassy to submit a full report to me on these latest disclosures. I would also hope to avail of an early opportunity to have a further meeting with the British Home Secretary; this will provide an occasion for detailed discussion of the implications for the Birmingham Six case of these recent developments.

Mr. Barry

I accept what the Minister has said. We have been very careful to keep this matter out of party politics. I agree with what the Minister is doing and wish him luck.

Mr. Enright

As there is a certain amount of cross-party agreement in the House of Commons and some Conservative MPs have joined with the Labour Member in trying to have this matter finalised, has the Minister demanded a meeting with the British Home Secretary? I ask this question in view of the fact that there have been a number of cases in which some of the police officers involved in the prosecution of this case have had their evidence proved to be false. Since evidence tendered in these cases has been set aside, would the Minister not now seek to have an urgent meeting with the British Home Secretary? Would he not seek to have an international independent tribunal set up involving members of the Judiciary in order to have this matter investigated since these six people are allowed to languish in prison for crimes which they deny they committed and of which the weight of evidence would appear to show they were not guilty?

Mr. Collins

I thank Deputy Barry and Deputy Enright for all their help in this area, which is very much appreciated. The Tánaiste had discussions on a number of occasions with the British Home Secretary on this issue, as I did. I hope to avail of an early opportunity to have a further meeting with the Home Secretary. The Deputy will know that I have asked our Embassy officials in London to send me a full report on the situation as it has developed to date. As soon as I have that report I will be in a position to make sure that the concerns of this House are made known where they will have the greatest effect.

An Ceann Comhairle

Question No. 13 has been disposed of. Question No. 14 in the name of Deputy Flaherty.