Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Oct 2001

Vol. 542 No. 2

Written Answers. - Northern Ireland Issues.

Dick Spring

Question:

139 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on his most recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the political parties from Northern Ireland; if he will give his assessment of the prospects for progress in view of these meetings and in view of the motion discussed in the Northern Ireland Assembly calling for the removal of Sinn Féin Ministers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23751/01]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

I refer the Deputy to my earlier answer to Priority Question No. 102.

Question No. 140 answered with Question No. 117.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

141 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the last meeting of the British-Irish Council was held; when the next meeting will be held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21438/01]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

The British-Irish Council meets in different formats. Since the first summit meeting in London in December 1999, a number of meetings have taken place in sectoral areas at ministerial and official level.

The most recent meeting of the council took place in Dublin at official level on 13 September and focused on the issue of misuse of drugs, the area of work for which Ireland has taken the lead within the council.

The Government is very much looking forward to hosting the next British-Irish Council Summit. The fixing of a date for this meeting will depend on developments in the wider political context. The drugs issue will be the main item for discussion at the summit, and progress in the other areas of work of the council will also be reviewed.

We also look forward to further meetings taking place in the agreed sectoral areas of work.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

142 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has sought or received a report from the British authorities on the murder of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23746/01]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

The murder of Martin O'Hagan on Friday, 28 September was an appalling and shocking act, and I would like to take this opportunity to offer my deepest sympathies to Mr. O'Hagan's wife and children, and to his colleagues at the Sunday World.

As the Taoiseach said in this House on Wednesday last, "Press freedom is a cornerstone of a free and democratic society, and it is investigative journalists like Martin who serve the people and the democratic process by fearlessly investigating and impartially reporting on events". Those who carried out this heinous act have absolutely nothing to offer the people of Northern Ireland except violence and fear.

We have raised this matter with the British authorities through the framework of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference on a number of occasions, most recently at a meeting on 10 October. On Friday, 12 October, the Secretary of State specified the UDA, UFF and LVF and declared that their ceasefires were over. Speaking of his decision to include the LVF in this announcement, Dr. Reid said: "I have clear information indicating the involvement of the LVF in the despicable murder of Martin O'Hagan".

We have been assured that the security forces will do all within their power to bring the perpetrators of this dreadful act to justice. We have asked to be kept fully informed of developments in the investigation into this murder.

Question No. 143 answered with Question No. 129.