Vol. 427 No. 2
50 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether there appears to be a deliberate policy of murder and intimidation by the IRA to force and intimidate those of Protestant persuasion to remove themselves from Border areas towards a general location east of the River Bann; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I cannot answer for the thought processes behind the campaign of murder or other heinous crimes perpetrated by the IRA. What is certain is that these foul crimes serve not only to increase human suffering but, more than any other factor, contribute to a deepening of divisions on this island. No effort must be spared to prevent them, and to ensure those guilty of them should be brought to justice. The perpetrators stand condemned and rejected by the vast majority of the Irish people. Violence breeds only further violence. Nothing would be more helpful to the promotion of a lasting solution with regard to Northern Ireland than that the paramilitaries on all sides should realise the futility of their campaign of violence and immediately desist from their murderous activities.
