Gay Mitchell
Question:60 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Taoiseach if he will instruct Ministers to boycott any St. Partick's Day parade celebration at home or abroad where organisations which give succour to terrorists are involved.
Written Answers. - St. Patrick's Day Parades.
St. Patrick's Day parades at home and abroad have long been an important feature of the celebration of Ireland's national day. For Irish people abroad the parades have a particular significance and provide an enjoyable occasion for them to demonstrate pride in their Irish heritage. This is the context in which, over many years, successive Governments have been represented at St. Patrick's Day parades.
The Government totally reject the use of violence for political ends and Government representatives at St. Patrick' Day parades will take appropriate action to make this clear in the event of the participation of organisations of the type referred to in the Deputy's question.