I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 114 together. Upon receipt of the Deputy's questions, I instructed my officials to raise the matters complained of through the Anglo-Irish Secretariat and to ask that they be investigated.
The British response reaffirmed their commitment to the principle of accompaniment and pointed to progress which has been achieved in increasing actual levels of accompaniment in certain areas. However, they indicated also that a number of practical, logistical or resource constraints made it impossible to guarantee a continuous police accompaniment in all areas. They stated they were no longer willing to ask the RUC to investigate specific reports of unaccompanied patrols unless there was also a complaint of misbehaviour of the patrol in question or the patrol was alleged to be operating in an area where it should not be.
The Irish Government attach very great importance to the commitment given at the highest level in the Hillsborough Communique, and on many other occasions subsequently, to ensure:
as rapidly as possible that save in the most exceptional circumstances there is a police presence in all operations which involve direct contact with the community.
We consider that, consistent with the high priority attached to the principle of accompaniment by both parties to the Anglo-Irish Agreement, all necessary steps should be taken in terms of the resources and organisational measures required to implement it. We consider also that, where a specific instance of an unaccompanied patrol is reported, it is appropriate to inquire into the exceptional circumstances which justified that particular departure from the agreed principle.
I have made clear therefore to the Secretary of State that I do not regard the present position as satisfactory, and that the Irish Government hold firmly to the objective of ensuring that the principle of accompaniment is seen to be implemented fully in line with the commitments which have been made. I will continue to press for this through the Conference and Secretariat and will continue to raise through these channels all instances of unaccompanied patrols which are reported to me, with a view to establishing whether the case complained of was a departure from the agreed principles and, if so, the circumstances which gave rise to it.
Before leaving this issue, let me also take the opportunity to put on record my utter condemnation of the attack which occurred near Bellaghy last night. This and all other such attacks can achieve nothing other than the wanton loss of human life, and increased legacies of division and human suffering. They underline for all of us the importance of ensuring that those who resort to such methods do not succeed.