Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 1 Apr 1999

Vol. 503 No. 2

Written Answers. - Northern Ireland Issues.

Conor Lenihan

Question:

101 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to claims by a former member of the SAS in a book, "The Irish War", where it is asserted that it is the British Army's intention to maintain troop levels in Northern Ireland for the foreseeable future. [9456/99]

Conor Lenihan

Question:

102 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress achieved to date under demilitarisation in the context of the Good Friday Agreement. [9457/99]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 102 together.

I am aware of the book to which the Deputy refers and views which are reported to have been expressed by the author therein.

The British Government is committed in the Good Friday Agreement to making progress towards the objective of security normalisation in Northern Ireland, including a reduction in the numbers and role of the armed forces deployed there to levels compatible with a normal peaceful society.

Some progress has already been made on the de-escalation of security measures, including the withdrawal of a number of battalions of the British Army and the ending of military patrols in much of Northern Ireland. A number of security installations on the Border and British Army structures in other areas have already been demolished. The full implementation of all aspects of the Good Friday Agreement must involve further significant progress in security normalisation, including on the level of British Army deployment in Northern Ireland.

Conor Lenihan

Question:

103 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the continued and sustained allegations of RUC collusion with loyalist paramilitaries in Northern Ireland. [9458/99]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

Allegations of collusion by the RUC, and other elements of the security forces, with loyalist paramilitaries have been made frequently over the years. These have caused widespread concern in the nationalist community and on the part of human rights organisations internationally.

The Government has frequently raised these concerns within the framework of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference and has also called for the full publication of the reports of the inquiries into allegations of collusion led by John Stevens in 1990 and 1995.

The case of alleged collusion which has attracted the most prominence is the murder of solicitor Patrick Finucane on 12 February 1989. The Minister of State at my Department, Deputy O'Donnell, met with Pat Finucane's wife and other relatives of murder victims on 12 February 1999. At this meeting, a copy of a new report by British Irish Rights Watch into allegations of collusion in the murder of Pat Finucane and others was handed over to the Government. I understand that a copy was also given later that day to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

The report, entitled Deadly Intelligence, State Involvement in Loyalist Murder in Northern Ireland, claims that new information has come to light regarding the involvement of the security forces in the murder of Pat Finucane and others. These allegations are very serious and have formed the basis for renewed discussions with the British side within the framework of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference.

The Government has also raised the concerns which have been expressed regarding the handling of complaints against the RUC by Rosemary Nelson before her murder. I can assure the Deputy that we will continue to pursue these matters rigorously within the framework of the conference and in the context of the Good Friday Agreement's provisions on policing and justice.