Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 11 Dec 1997

Vol. 485 No. 1

Written Answers. - UK Prevention of Terrorism Act.

Austin Deasy

Question:

21 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will have talks with his British counterparts to ensure that searches of people travelling from Ireland at points of entry to the UK are discontinued in view of the continuation of the ceasefire in Northern Ireland. [22478/97]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

I assume that the Deputy is referring to those powers of search contained within the British Prevention of Terrorism Act.

Under the terms of Schedule 5 to that Act, any person who has arrived in or is seeking to leave Britain or Northern Ireland by ship or by aircraft may be examined and-or searched by an examining officer. This applies also to land travel between Northern Ireland and this jurisdiction.

The powers apply to persons of any nationality, including British nationals and other EU citizens. They are seen by the British authorities as a means of countering international terrorism as well as terrorism related to the Northern Ireland conflict. The Prevention of Terrorism Act does not confine examination and search powers to traffic between Ireland and Britain. However, the indications are that a majority of persons examined are stopped at points of entry and departure for Common Travel Area traffic; separate figures are not available for the number of persons who are actually searched under these provisions.

The Government has frequently expressed its concern at the provisions of the PTA, particularly those whose application appears to have a disproportionate impact on the Irish community in Britain or persons travelling between the two islands, such as the powers relating to port and border controls. We will be pursuing our concerns in the context of the proposals for permanent counter-terrorism legislation which the British Home Secretary will present early next year in the form of a consultation paper.