Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 Jun 2001

Vol. 538 No. 3

Written Answers. - Death Penalty.

Derek McDowell

Question:

70 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has made or intends to make any representation to the US authorities regarding the continued use by that country of the death penalty, especially having regard to the decision of the Irish people in the referendum on 7 June 2001 to remove all references to the death penalty from the Constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17780/01]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

128 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will assist in efforts to secure the abolition of the death penalty worldwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18166/01]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 70 and 128 together.

At the outset, I wish to record my satisfaction with the outcome of the referendum on 7 June 2001 on the death penalty. The outcome clearly demonstrates the opposition of the people to the use of the death penalty in this country. The consistent view of the Government has been and is one of total opposition to the use of the death penalty. The Deputy will be aware of the efforts we have made, in conjunction with our EU partners and in accordance with the common EU guidelines on the issue of the death penalty, to seek its universal abolition.

The EU guidelines, adopted in 1998, set out clearly the common EU position on the use of the death penalty. The US authorities, at both state and federal level, have been frequently lobbied on the use of the death penalty. They have been made aware in numerous démarches of Ireland's and the EU's opposition to the death penalty in all cases and of our view that the abolition of the death penalty contributes to the enhancement of human dignity and the progressive development of human rights. Where the facts of individual cases suggest a violation of basic minimum standards under international law, the EU considers making a specific intervention. The Government is strongly of the view that an EU intervention carries significantly greater force than individual bilateral interventions by national Governments.

Last month the Swedish Presidency in Washington delivered a generaldémarche on the death penalty to the State Department, along lines agreed by all partners, including Ireland. The EU's support of the principle of maintaining the de facto moratorium on the use of the federal death penalty was also reiterated. We will continue to engage in a dialogue with the US authorities to seek abolition of the death penalty and are seeking in the interim the introduction of moratoria at state level and the reintroduction of the de facto moratorium at federal level. Internationally we will continue our efforts, with our EU partners, to seek the universal abolition of the death penalty.