Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 4 Nov 1992

Vol. 424 No. 9

Written Answers. - Anglo-Irish Agreement.

Dick Spring

Question:

21 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the full range of measures taken pursuant to Article 7 (c) of the Anglo-Irish Agreement, which has the objective of making the security forces in Northern Ireland more acceptable to both communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

Article 7 (c) of the Anglo-Irish Agreement records the position of the two Governments "that there is a need for a programme of special measures in Northern Ireland to improve relations between the security forces and the community, with the object in particular of making the security forces readily accepted by the nationalist community".

The Hillsborough Communiqué, which accompanied the signing of the Anglo-Irish Agreement, expressed the intention of the two Governments to concentrate at the initial meetings of the Conference on relations between the security forces and the nationalist community in Northern Ireland. This has remained a priority area of work for the conference. At its meeting in March 1988 it decided to give added impetus to work in this area. Accordingly, and in addition to meetings of the Conference, a group of high level officials has been charged with the task of ensuring that the ongoing work at official level has the necessary focus and direction.

The Government remain determined to ensure that the mechanisms of the Anglo-Irish Agreement will continue to address fully the unresolved problems of harassment, ill-treatment and the other difficulties which adversely affect the rights, security and welfare of the nationalist community in Northern Ireland and which hamper the development of good relations between the security forces and the community.

In this context, a number of changes have already been introduced. For example:

—the introduction of a Code of Conduct for the RUC;

—more impartial policing by the RUC of parades during the Loyalist marching season;

—procedures to speed up the processing of complaints against members of the British army and the establishment by the British Government of mechanisms to review responses to allegations of harassment by members of the security forces;

—the establishment of an Independent Commission for Police Complaints.

These reforms, while repesenting some progress, have not resolved difficulties in this area. A recent survey in Northern Ireland carried out for the British Social Attitudes Survey reveals that substantial numbers of Catholics do not believe that the security forces act evenhandedly; and that 70 per cent of Catholics believe that if the police or army commit an offence they usually get away with it.

Much, therefore, remains to be done and we shall continue to press for meaningful, sustained and effective improvements. These should relate for example to the use of lethal force by the security forces; conditions and safeguards for detainees in the RUC holding centres; the objective of full and effective police accompaniment of British army, including Royal Irish Regiment, patrols which involve direct contact with the community; and the continuing problem of harassment by the British army of persons, particularly young men, in nationalist areas.

The Anglo-Irish Conference remains central to the objective of enhancing confidence in the security forces in Northern Ireland. I can assure the Deputy that the Conference scheduled for 16 November will pay full attention to these problems.