Vol. 459 No. 5
49 Miss Quill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's views on the reported plans for the British Parachute Regiment's return to Belfast for a further six month tour of duty; and whether the Government will be taking this matter up with the British Government. [16025/95]
On my instructions, recent media reports that a decision had been taken to return a battalion of the British Parachute Regiment to Northern Ireland in 1996 for a six-month tour of duty were raised with the British authorities through the framework of the Anglo-Irish Inter-governmental Conference. In view of the particular history and reputation of this regiment in the Northern Ireland context, the Government's serious concern about the impact of any such decision on the Nationalist community in particular was conveyed to the British side.
I understand that as of now, and contrary to some media reports, no firm decision has been taken to deploy a battalion of the Parachute Regiment to Northern Ireland next year. The Government believes that the overall British Army presence should continue to be reduced in response to the ceasefires. I would hope that the British authorities will not find it necessary to proceed with a deployment from the Parachute Regiment.
