Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Jun 1990

Vol. 399 No. 10

Written Answers. - Birmingham Six.

David Andrews

Question:

63 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the British Home Secretary has indicated that the report of the Devon and Cornwall police into the West Midland police, in the case of the Birmingham Six, is not to be made available to the convicted men's solicitors; and the action he proposes to take in this matter.

David Andrews

Question:

64 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will urge the British Home Secretary to publish the report of the Devon and Cornwall police into the West Midland police and the case of the Birmingham Six when the report becomes available.

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Collins)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 64 together.

The Government, who are closely and actively monitoring all developments related to the Birmingham Six case, are primarily concerned that the conduct of the investigation by the Devon and Cornwall police should be thorough and comprehensive, and should be completed at the earliest possible date. This and all other aspects of the Birmingham Six case, including those raised by the Deputy, will form part of the on-going discussions with the British authorities on the case.

David Andrews

Question:

65 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will raise the case of the Birmingham Six before the end of the Irish Presidency of the EC with the EC Council of Foreign Ministers.

David Andrews

Question:

66 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the need to raise the case of the Birmingham Six at every opportunity; and in this regard if he will send representatives to the forthcoming CSCE Conference in Copenhagen.

David Andrews

Question:

67 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure that the case of the Birmingham Six will be raised by the Irish Government at the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe which will take place in Copenhagen in June 1990.

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Collins)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 65, 66 and 67 together.

The Government's view remains that the most effective way at present for them to work for a satisfactory conclusion of the Birmingham Six case is to pursue the matter directly with the British Government. In this regard, the Government have repeatedly and forcefully conveyed their views and their deep concern about the case to the British authorities.

Ireland, as one of the 35 member states of the CSCE, is of course represented at the conference currently under way in Copenhagen. As I stated in reply to a question on 7 February last, it is not the Government's intention to raise the Birmingham Six case at the conference. However, the Government have, as appropriate, raised the case internationally, including at the Foreign Affairs Council in December last, following the transmission to the Council of a resolution on the case from the European Parliament. As stated previously, the Government are also always prepared to avail of other appropriate occasions, including during the present six month period, to raise the case bilaterally and otherwise.