Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 22 Mar 2001

Vol. 533 No. 2

Written Answers. - Northern Ireland Issues.

Jack Wall

Question:

30 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the response he has received to representations made to the British authorities regarding recent sectarian attacks in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8416/01]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

The Government has been gravely concerned at the upsurge in sectarian attacks in Northern Ireland in recent months. These attacks have taken place in a number of areas including north Belfast, Coleraine, Ballymoney and Larne. Since 1 November last, there have been over 60 pipe-bomb attacks, as well as gun-attacks, threats and other acts of intimidation. While such attacks have been carried out on both communities, the vast majority have been directed against members of the Nationalist community.

I condemn all such sectarian attacks, whether on Catholics or Protestants, in the strongest possible terms. They are despicable acts designed at the very least to frighten and to intimidate people out of their homes. 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 effectively vindicated for everyone in Northern Ireland.

I expressed the Government's concerns about these attacks when I met the then Secretary of State on 5 December last. I also discussed the matter with Secretary of State Reid when we met in Dublin on 22 February. In these discussions, I stressed the importance of devoting the necessary resources to combat sectarian crime. We also discussed the need for practical measures to be taken to provide basic security to people targeted in such attacks. In response, the British Government is currently examining a number of measures aimed at protecting vulnerable households.

We have been informed by the British authorities that additional security measures have been put in place by the police to combat sectarian attacks over the past two months. There has been a notable increase in police patrolling in the worst affected areas, with the British army deployed where necessary, in support of the police. There have also been some police successes in terms of arrests and seizures of material in a number of pipe-bomb factories. I welcome these efforts and the noticeable falling-off in the number of attacks in recent weeks. It is important that these efforts be continued over the coming months. The Government will continue to monitor this situation closely.