Vol. 448 No. 4
77 Mr. Davern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the discussions, if any, he has had regarding the withdrawal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act in Britain and its application to Irish citizens and travelling to the United Kingdom. [2250/95]
I have availed of every appropriate opportunity in recent months to emphasise to the British authorities the need to respond to the new situation created by the ceasefires, including by giving consideration to the dismantlement of emergency legislation enacted over the past 25 years. It has been pointed out that this would not only be appropriate in the context of the ending of the campaigns of violence, but would also be helpful in creating a climate conducive to agreement and political progress.
It has been made clear to the British authorities that the Prevention of Terrorism Act should receive early attention in this regard. In this context officials of my Department recently met with the reviewer appointed by the British Government to examine the operation of the Act. They made clear our view that serious consideration should be given to the non-renewal of the Act, or at least to allowing significant sections of the Act to lapse, when it comes up for renewal in a few weeks time. It was emphasised that in current circumstances the case for ending a number of provisions about which concern had been expressed by members of the Irish community in Britain, or Irish citizens travelling to and from Britain, as well as individuals and groups in Northern Ireland was particularly strong. It was, of course, pointed out, that for so long as the Act remains in force, the Government will continue to insist that the legislation must be applied sensitively and in an evenhanded manner. We will continue to raise individual cases about which concern has been expressed with the British authorities through the appropriate channels.
