Vol. 551 No. 4
58 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he or any of his predecessors have raised with the British Government the injustice of the continued ownership of Lough Neagh, including fishing rights and other privileges, by an absentee English landlord, the Earl of Shaftesbury, who levies rents and charges on the indigenous community for fishing and other activities. [10834/02]
I have not raised this matter with the British authorities nor, to the best of my knowledge, have my predecessors as Ministers for Foreign Affairs.
59 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Government representatives raised with the British authorities the discovery in a wallet belonging to a member of the Royal Irish Regiment of the British Army of a list of names of 23 people from Counties Tyrone and Armagh, some of whom were the victims of loyalist attacks; if so, the response which has been received from the British authorities; and the further action which will be taken by him. [10835/02]
My Department has received a number of representations about this case. We have raised our concerns about the matter with the British Government through the framework of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference on a number of occasions. In October 2000, we were informed by the British authorities that the individual to whom the wallet belonged was a serving member of the Royal Irish Regiment and that he had been subjected to internal disciplinary proceedings. According to the information received, the matter was investigated by the military police who reported that the individual in question had no subversive links. As a result, the RUC was not asked to become involved in the case. We were also informed at that stage that the investigation had been concluded.
In light of further representations, we have once again raised this matter with the British authorities. We have been informed that the Police Ombudsman is investigating a complaint about the police action in this case and that the British Government will not comment further until this investigation is complete.
We will continue to monitor developments in this case.
