Vol. 522 No. 2
114 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland has been asked to provide security here, under the witness protection pro gramme, for people who give evidence to the international war crimes tribunal regarding atrocities committed during the war in Bosnia; if the Government has responded to any such request; if not, when a decision will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17925/00]
As I informed the Dáil in a reply to a Parliamentary Question on this subject on 10 May last, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, ICTY, has been in touch with a number of Governments, including Ireland, concerning participation in a witness relocation programme. The purpose of this programme is to relocate temporarily the small number of witnesses in cases before the ICTY for whom the risk of returning to their former home is very great, to a country outside the former Yugoslavia, as a means of protection.
I am looking at the possibility of Ireland responding positively to the request of ICTY. Participation in the programme raises a number of issues which involve other Departments. Consultations with them are currently in progress and it is hoped to make a positive decision in the near future. The ICTY has been kept informed of our intentions in relation to the programme via our Embassy in The Hague. The Deputy will appreciate that, having regard to the safety of the witnesses involved, I would not wish to reveal publicly the details of our participation in the programme beyond to confirm the fact of our participation.
