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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 Jun 2001

Vol. 538 No. 3

Written Answers. - Northern Ireland Issues.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

83 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in his discussions with the Northern Ireland political parties believed to have connections with paramilitary organisations, he has raised the ongoing use of punishment beatings and shootings especially having regard to recent figures from the RUC showing a considerable increase in the number of incidents over the same period for 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17786/01]

As I have said before, punishment beatings, shootings and acts of intimidation are totally unacceptable and have no place in a democratic society. The Government has consistently called for an immediate end to all such acts of violence or intimidation and our position has been communicated to those parties with influence on paramilitary organisations.

The statistics available show there has been an increase of nearly 40% in the number of "paramilitary-punishment attacks" to date this year in comparison with the same period in 2000. Since 1 January last, 164 punishment attacks have been recorded – 102 have been attributed to loyalist paramilitaries and 62 have been attributed to republican paramilitaries. Given the nature of these attacks, these official figures probably understate the full extent of the problem.

The Government deplores this upward trend and once again calls on those parties who may have influence with paramilitary organisations to help bring these attacks to an end.

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