Vol. 559 No. 5
58 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will raise the question of increased harassment by members of the British Crown Forces of the people of Fermanagh (details supplied) with his British opposite numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26430/02]
The Deputy has brought to my attention a list of complaints compiled by Sinn Féin regarding British security force activity in County Fermanagh in the period from May to December this year. The Deputy's concerns about these complaints have been raised with the British Government through the framework of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference. A response is awaited and I will be in direct contact with the Deputy when it is received.
The Government's consistent position has been that, where military activity is deemed to be necessary by the British authorities, it should be carried out in a manner that takes full account of the sensitivities of the local community.
We have also continually stressed that all aspects of the Good Friday Agreement need to be implemented fully, including swift and ongoing movement towards full security normalisation throughout Northern Ireland. Under the Agreement, normalisation involves a reduction of the numbers and role of the security forces deployed in Northern Ireland to levels compatible with a normal peaceful society, as well as the removal of security installations.
This issue of normalisation was discussed at the most recent meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference on 22 October and it will be addressed again at the next BIIGC meeting in Dublin tomorrow. It also naturally forms a key part of the ongoing discussions between the two Governments and the political parties.
