Vol. 498 No. 4
133 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government was consulted about the decision of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to recognise the ceasefire of the Loyalist Volunteer Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24477/98]
I take it that the Deputy is referring to the decision by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to despecify the Loyalist Volunteer Force for the purposes of the programme of early releases provided for in the British-Irish Agreement. Under the British-Irish Agreement, both Governments are committed to provide for an accelerated programme for the release of qualifying prisoners. This commitment is given effect to in Northern Ireland by the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act which came into force on 28 July 1998. The Act stipulates that, to qualify for early release, a prisoner must be neither a supporter of a specified organisation nor likely, if released, to become a supporter of such an organisation.
In announcing her decision in relation to the Loyalist Volunteer Force, the Secretary of State said that she had taken into account all of the factors set out in the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act, 1998, and the security information available to her. She said that she was satisfied that the Loyalist Volunteer Force had established a complete and unequivocal ceasefire and had demonstrated that the ceasefire was being maintained over a significant period of time. The Government were advised by the British side of the intentions of the Secretary of State in this matter.
134 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he was represented at, or sent any message to, the annual conference of the SDLP in Newry on 13 and 14 November 1998. [24476/98]
The Government was represented by the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, at the 28th annual SDLP conference which took place in Newry from 13 to 15 November. A number of officials from my Department also attended. In addition, both the Taoiseach and I sent messages of support to the conference. I have placed copies of both messages in the Dáil Library.
