Vol. 457 No. 2
43 Mr. Clohessy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps, if any, he has taken, with Sinn Féin and with the two smaller Unionist parties who speak for former loyalist paramilitaries, to bring about a cessation of the continuing punishment beatings and shootings in Northern Ireland, which now amount to approximately 200 since the ceasefire on 31 August 1994. [15116/95]
In our contacts with Sinn Féin, the UDP and the PUP the Government has repeatedly made known its strong condemnation of these practices. So-called punishment beatings are an appalling abuse of human rights. The leadership of Sinn Féin and of the two loyalist parties have emphasised that they neither support nor condone such attacks. I would urge them to use all their influence to help to bring an end to these barbaric incidents.
