The Government has made clear on many occasions its total abhorrence of these attacks. Their persistence and increase remains a matter of grave concern. The Government's position on this matter is clear and unambiguous. Such acts are totally reprehensible and antidemocratic practices and they should be brought to an immediate end. The actions of those involved in organising and carrying them out are repugnant and entirely inconsistent with the rule of law.
The inflicting of punishment beatings is also incompatible with the principles and objectives of the peace process. As the Deputy will recall, the Mitchell principles call on all participants in all-party negotiations "to urge that punishment killings and beatings stop and to take effective steps to prevent such actions". The report goes on to state that the members of the international body "join the Governments, religious leaders and many others in condemning punishment killings and beatings. They contribute to the fear that those who have used violence to pursue political objectives in the past will do so again in the future. Such actions have no place in a lawful society".
The Government fully endorses that position. The ending of punishment beatings would be a significant confidence building measure. Sinn Féin and the loyalist parties are well aware of our views on this issue. We have made clear on a number of occasions the importance of both using whatever influence they may have to put an end to these attacks. Spokespersons for these parties have said that they are opposed to such attacks. It remains vital that they should bring their influence within their respective communities to bear on the issue to ensure that these attacks are brought to an end.