Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jan 2001

Vol. 529 No. 1

Written Answers. - Northern Ireland Issues.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

126 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has any figures for the number of people forced to leave Northern Ireland under threat of death or violence from paramilitary organisations; if he has raised the plight of these people with political parties in Northern Ireland associated with paramilitary organisations; if he will urge that all such people should be allowed return to Northern Ireland, especially having regard to the decision of the British authorities not to seek the extradition of a number of people wanted for serious paramilitary offences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2258/01]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

The plight of those who have been forced to leave their home areas as a result of paramilitary threats or intimidation is a cause of serious concern, and the Government condemns all such acts of violence and intimidation. The right to "freely choose one's place of residence" is recognised by the Good Friday Agreement and should apply to everyone equally. The right of those concerned to have the threats against them lifted and to return home is fully endorsed by the Government.

The British authorities have confirmed through the British-Irish Secretariat that no figures are maintained on the numbers of people actually forced to leave Northern Ireland. Given the nature of the problem, neither the groups involved in making the threats nor those who receive them are likely to make information on numbers available.

The Government continues to urge all those with influence on paramilitary groups both to ensure the safe return of those forced to leave Northern Ireland and to bring this completely abhorrent practice to an end.

Question No. 127 answered with Question No. 89.