Written Answers. - Northern Ireland Issues.
Willie Penrose
Question:
91
Mr. Penrose
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if he has raised with the British authorities the position of members of the minority in Larne, County Antrim, who remain under repeated attack and constant threat from loyalist paramilitary organisations; if he has requested the British authorities to ensure adequate protection for all citizens in Larne; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2257/01]
Austin Currie
Question:
124
Mr. Currie
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
the result of his representations to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland concerning the plight of Catholics in Larne, County Antrim, who have been subjected to violence and intimidation motivated by sectarianism; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[1384/01]
Austin Currie
Question:
253
Mr. Currie
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if, at his next meeting with the British Government, he will raise the plight of Catholics in Larne, County Antrim, who are suffering from violence and intimidation motivated by sectarianism; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[28299/00]
Brendan Smith
Question:
267
Mr. B. Smith
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if he will pursue with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Dr. Reid, and the British Prime Minister, Mr. Blair, the concerns of the Nationalist community and the need to take effective action in view of the widespread concern about intimidation in Larne, County Antrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2569/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 91, 124, 253 and 267 together.
The increasing number of sectarian attacks in Larne is a matter of the most serious concern to the Government. There were some 76 reported incidents last year alone, although the actual figure may well be higher than that.
These incidents have included threats, criminal damage and the flying of loyalist paramilitary flags. There have also been death threats, pipe bomb attacks and shots fired into houses as well as an orchestrated campaign of intimidation and violence against particular local families. As we entered the new year, there were three particularly serious attacks on the homes of Catholic families in Larne – two pipe bombs and one gun attack. Following those attacks, the former Sec retary of State, Mr. Mandelson, visited the town on 17 January last.
I condemn all sectarian attacks, whether on Catholics or Protestants in Larne and elsewhere, in the strongest possible terms. They are despicable acts designed at the very least to frighten and to intimidate people out of their homes.
Concerns have been expressed that the police response to these incidents has been inadequate and that they have failed to halt the attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice. It is essential that the necessary effort and resources be devoted to combating sectarian crime in the town.
The Government has raised its concerns about the situation in Larne directly with the British Government on a regular basis in recent years. Officials of my Department maintain contact with members of the Catholic community, including the local SDLP Assembly member for East Antrim, Mr. Danny O'Connor.
I met Mr. O'Connor in Dublin on 28 November last when he gave me a dossier of some 65 cases of sectarian assaults in the town over the past two years. This dossier was passed to the British Government and we pressed for immediate and effective action to counter the serious problems in Larne. I also spoke with Mr. O'Connor on 16 January following the recent attacks.
I expressed the Government's concerns about the situation in Larne when I met the then Secretary of State on 5 December last and I will do so again when I meet the newly appointed Secretary of State, Dr. John Reid, at our first meeting.
The Good Friday Agreement recognised the right to freely choose one's place of residence and the right to freedom from sectarian harassment. It is imperative that these rights be protected and vindicated in Larne. The Government will continue to monitor the situation in that town.
