Vol. 322 No. 6
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will intercede on behalf of the Women Against Imperialism group, now imprisoned in Armagh Jail, due to their peaceful demonstration outside the jail in protest at the ill-treatment of other women prisoners.
6.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that a person (details supplied) who is currently in Armagh Jail serving a four months' sentence in connection with a demonstration which took place on 8 March 1979 was subsequently involved in a similar demonstration in March 1980 at which no arrests were made; if the arrest of this person who refused to pay the fine is of an arbitrary nature; and if he will outline the action being taken by the Government in relation to the suppression of the right to protest which this situation indicates.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 6 together.
I am aware of the circumstances in this case where a number of women were charged and recently fined in Northern Ireland arising out of a demonstration outside Armagh Jail in March 1979. I understand that some of these women have declared their intention not to pay the fines imposed on them and that two, including the woman to whom Deputy Quinn refers, have since begun serving prison sentences.
I do not feel that there are circumstances in this case which would make my intervention appropriate.
In the question that I put to the Minister I asked him if he would outline the action being taken by the Government in relation to the question of the right to protest which the situation appeared to indicate. Can he indicate if this matter has been raised directly by him with any representative of the British Government?
This is the sort of matter that we raise with the British Government when I meet them at Ministerial level. Usually I take up matters of this kind, sometimes with success, sometimes not with success. I will consider doing so.
Would the Minister consider doing that with his own prisoners in the Curragh?
That does not arise. It is a completely different question.
I think I heard the Minister for Foreign Affairs saying that he would consider raising it. Therefore, am I right in assuming that to date he has not raised it?
I have not as yet.
Will he give an undertaking to the House simply that he will discuss it? I am not asking him to take a line on it.
I will discuss it. I do that regularly. I have a list of matters of this kind and I always take them up at such meetings.
