Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Jun 1996

Vol. 466 No. 6

Written Answers. - Prevention of Terrorism Act.

John Browne

Question:

32 Mr. Browne (Wexford) asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason Irish truck drivers and bus operators are experiencing delays of up to three hours on arrival at Fishguard, Wales from Rosslare while United Kingdom police and customs officials undertake checks on vehicles and examine documents in minute details, leading owners and operators of such vehicles to believe that they are being subjected to a form of harassment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12180/96]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

On my instructions, the delays referred to by the Deputy have been raised by the Irish Embassy in London with the relevant British authorities. Those authorities have replied that the checks on vehicles and examination of documents at Fishguard, Wales and other British ports are carried out under the provisions of Schedule 5 of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 1989.

The Government has frequently expressed its concerns regarding the operation of the Prevention of Terrorism Act. While fully accepting the need to counter any threat of violence, the Government has consistently advocated that violence and terrorism should be dealt with as far as possible under the provisions of the ordinary law. We have urged the British authorities to ensure that these provisions do not impact in a general and undiscriminating manner on the Irish community and Irish people travelling between these islands.

As I have made clear before, the Irish Government seeks the dismantlement of emergency legislative provisions to the fullest extent practicable. We have made our views in this regard clear to the inquiry being conducted by Lord Lloyd which is considering the future need for specific counter terrorism legislation in Britain if there is lasting peace in Northern Ireland and we have also outlined to him our general concerns regarding the operation of the PTA. The Mitchell report stated that early implementation of the proposed review of emergency legislation, consistent with the evolving security situation, would bolster the trust which is crucial to the shared objectives of the two Governments.

Pending progress on dismantling this legislation, I repeat the assurances I gave at the Irish Club in London in March that our embassy in London will continue to raise any concerns which the Irish community and Irish people generally have about the operation of PTA powers. We will continue to urge that every care be taken to ensure that the emergency powers are implemented in a sensitive and even-handed manner in the period ahead.