Vol. 350 No. 5
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to an article in the media (details supplied) recently alleging cross-Border incursions involving the murder of a civilian on this side of the Border and other undercover activities by members of the British security forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
9.
asked the Minister for for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of recent allegations by a former British military intelligence agent and contained in the media (details supplied) recently that in 1975-1976 British military personnel operated illegally over the Border, including the act of murder; and if he will seek an immediate investigation into the matter.
10.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if there have been any circumstances in which the Government or the Garda authorities at any level have given permission for British army or RUC personnel to cross the Border to carry out particular operations; and if he will make a statement on Government policy on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 9 and 10 together.
I am aware of the allegations contained in the article and television programme to which the Deputies refer. The allegations are being examined by the Garda authorities. I have been assured by the British authorities that the British Government have no knowledge that the events alleged took place and that the British army's orders forbid operations South of the Border. I understand from the British authorities that the allegations are the subject of an investigation by the RUC and that a report will be furnished by the RUC to the Director of Public Prosecutions in Northern Ireland when the investigation is complete. I have asked the British authorities to inform us of the results of this investigation in so far as our interest might be concerned.
I wish to take this opportunity to confirm that any illegal operations by Northern security forces are completely unacceptable and that the Government have made this plain to the British Government.
Deputies will be aware that there are occasions when the presence of Northern security forces in our jurisdiction may be authorised, for example, for official visits or for overflights.
Would the Minister confirm that, when this report is available, it will be brought into this House so that we will have an opportunity of discussing it? Would the Minister agree that there appears to be a total ignorance of the fact that we are a separate country in our own right and that the British security forces are crossing the Border willy-nilly at every opportunity and totally disregarding the presence of our own security personnel?
In reply to the first part of the question, I said the allegations are being examined by the Garda authorities at the request of the Minister for Justice. From a personal point of view I would see nothing wrong with a discussion on the issue once the examination has been completed. It will be a matter for my colleague the Minister for Justice, because the investigations are being carried under his jurisdiction.
As the representative of the Government in this House right now the Minister should say the House must have an opportunity to discuss the report when it comes back to the Government from the Garda.
I do not believe I have the authority to say that. It is a point which can be raised with the Minister for Justice.
I put down the question to the Minister for Justice originally. I am here because there is a cross-Border element in it. Does the Minister agree that very grave allegations are being made on a very formal and serious basis? They are not flimsy allegations which come up from time to time without substantiation. There is an allegation that John Francis Green was murdered by a member of the SAS on the south side of the Border. Does the Minister consider that there may be a British contact operating at Garda Headquarters? That is an extremely serious and urgent matter. It is one of the questions which arise very clearly in the allegations made. There are further allegations in a New Statesman article of 11 May that further British agents are operating. One is alleged to have been operating within Monaghan Garda Station. These allegations will have to be examined in a most urgent way. Will the Minister convey to the Minister for Justice the fact that we will have to have a very thorough report to the House on these investigations?
I accept that the allegations are grave. I have told the House they are being examined.
On these three questions and in relation to incursions generally, will the Minister tell the House if it is his opinion that it is relatively easy for agents of the SAS, the KGB, CIA and the British forces to operate within this State? Will the Minister ensure that a debate on that report and on our counter intelligence agencies will be allowed in the House at reasonable intervals?
I will pass on the Deputy's suggestion to the Minister for Justice.
Would the Minister agree that the articles in the New Statesman indicated that during the mid-seventies, a period of Coalition Government in which Deputy FitzGerald was Minister for Foreign Affairs, members of the SAS were coming across the Border at a fairly regular rate and were taking part in what were regarded as dirty tricks, bombings, sabotage and even alleged murder on this side of the Border? Will the Minister confirm that he is satisfied there is no second Crinion operating in Garda Headquarters? There were allegations at that time that more than Pat Crinion was involved. Could the Minister give us an assurance that no one else is operating here?
I want to make it absolutely clear that illegal operations here by the Northern security forces are not, have not been, and will not be countenanced in any circumstances by the Garda or the Government. In reply to the second part of the question, I have already told the Deputy that I accept that the allegations are grave. I told the House they are under examination. With regard to giving a categorical assurance to the House along the lines suggested, I do not see how I could do that. These allegations are under examination by the Garda. I do not believe I or any of my colleagues can comment further on these allegations until the examination is completed.
Will the Minister say what assurance he has received from the British Government that such incidents will not occur again?
Can the Minister say what the finding was at the inquest on the murdered civilian? Are the Garda inquiries into that murder ongoing? Have they produced a finding? Do the Minister and the Government take seriously the allegation that there is a mole in the Monaghan Garda Station? If so, are the Garda or the Special Branch conducting inquiries to ascertain who it might be?
The allegations are being examined by the Garda authorities. Until such time as the examination is completed I cannot comment on them beyond saying that I consider them serious. In regard to the specific points raised by Deputy Taylor, I am in a position to reply to them and will not be until such time as the examination is completed. The Taoiseach informed this House in a statement on 10 April that he had sought and obtained the assurances referred to in respect of all the Northern security forces.
We have had more since then. We are regarded as a pushover.
I am giving the facts. We have received the most positive assurances that the British Army forbid operations south of the Border.
It has happened again. Pushovers.
