Finian McGrath
Question:196 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the practical steps he will take over the next few weeks to ensure that the nationalist community in Northern Ireland is protected from sectarian attacks. [14667/02]
Written Answers. - Northern Ireland Issues.
Unhappily, sectarian attacks have become an all too often occurrence in Northern Ireland. The Deputy will be aware, for example, of the spate of sectarian attacks recently against nationalists in Larne and some other small towns and villages. Public order has been particularly bad in north Belfast over the past year. Intensive efforts are continuing to resolve the problem in north Belfast and to generate the local dialogue that ultimately must serve as the foundation for trust and improved community relations. We cannot be complacent about the issue of sectarian tensions and the violence that it engenders. On the weekend of 11-12 May, disturbances broke out in the nationalist enclave of Short Strand in east Belfast. They have continued since then with varying intensity, but with the sense of siege continuing unabated. On 18 June, the Taoiseach, speaking in the Dáil, acknowledged the serious concerns of the people of the Short Strand "who have seen their community dwindle considerably because of the difficulties over years, [and who] feel that they are under huge threat". The Taoiseach raised his concerns about this and other situations of sectarian violence directly with the British Prime Minister at a meeting on Friday 14 June.
I have already met political representatives of the area. In addition, during a meeting with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 14 June, I stressed the need for effective and impartial policing and increased security measures to protect the residents of the Short Strand. I have made it clear on many occasions that these concerns about policing and security measures apply equally to nationalist communities in north Belfast, Larne, Ballycastle, Carrickfergus and elsewhere across the North which have suffered at the hands of loyalist paramilitary violence. Since the most recent outbreak of serious trouble occurred in the Short Strand in mid-May, officials of my Department and the Government's representatives based at the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference in Belfast have been in regular contact with local elected and community representatives. They have also visited the area a number of times to assess the situation at first hand. A delegation of residents recently met officials of my Department and the Department of the Taoiseach to outline their concerns. The residents' concerns have been raised with the British authorities on a number of occasions, including through the framework of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference. As the marching season unfolds, officials of my Department will continue to maintain close contact with local political and community representatives and will liaise on an ongoing basis with the British Government to ensure the safety of the people of the Short Strand, North Belfast and other vulnerable nationalist communities across Northern Ireland. I know the Deputy will join me in condemning sectarian attacks from whatever quarter.