Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 Nov 1993

Vol. 435 No. 10

Written Answers. - Security Force Information Leaks.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

103 Mr. Sargent asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he intends to raise with the British authorities the fact that, once again, sensitive security force documents appear to have found their way into the hands of loyalist paramilitaries (details supplied), the effect that such occurrences have on the perceptions of the Nationalist community and the fact that if such occurrences are ignored the attempts to create a peace process will seem less than fully credible; if he intends to request a public inquiry into the matter; and if not, the reason for not doing so.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

I am aware of the media report referred to by the Deputy. I agree that such reports are deeply troubling and that they have a negative effect on Nationalist perceptions of the evenhandedness and accountability of the security forces. I have already raised the report refered to by the Deputy with the British authorities through the Anglo-Irish Secretariat. The Government remain absolutely determined to ensure that the British authorities take the necessary steps to avoid any recurrence of the unacceptable series of leaks of security force information which occurred several years ago, and which gave rise to the Stevens Inquiry. The Government will keep the issues raised by the Deputy under close review and will continue to emphasise to the British authorities the importance of the security forces operating within the rule of law at all times.