Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Dec 1995

Vol. 459 No. 5

Written Answers. - Gibraltar Shootings Judgment.

Bertie Ahern

Question:

39 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the communications, if any, he has had with the British Prime Minister with regard to the recent Court of European Rights judgment in the matter of the Gibraltar shootings in 1988. [14921/95]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

The Government have not had any communication with the British authorities regarding the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the Gibraltar case.

The Government has accepted the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in this case, which is, of course, binding on all parties to the convention.

The judgment underlines the paramount importance of the rule of law and the necessity for proper control and organisation of all security operations including strict safeguards in relation to any possible recourse to lethal force.