asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of a report in a British newspaper (details supplied) stating that on 7 and 8 November British security officials were in Dundalk looking for an individual suspected of criminal activities in Britain; that one of these officials informed the Garda authorities of the exact whereabouts of the individual involved; if so, if he will take urgent steps to ensure that the basic human rights of citizens are adequately safeguarded and proper legal procedures strictly adhered to; and if he will make a full statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Newspaper Extradition Reports.
430.
Limerick East): I have seen the report in question, as well as other associated material elsewhere in the same issue of the newspaper.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that they have no evidence that would substantiate in any way the allegation in the report that two British security officials were in Dundalk on 7 and 8 November "looking for" a particular person. I am also informed that the only British personnel who had any contact with the Garda Síochána at the relevant time about the case were two British police officers who were in Dublin in the first half of that week — up to Wednesday, 7 November — on official business in connection with the relevant warrants, which they had brought with them. Discussions between the two sides about warrants are confidential but, in any event, it will be clear from what I have said that the discussions in question took place either entirely or mainly before the period referred to in the newspaper article, not after it as would be implied by the article if it were to be taken as referring to those officers.
It may be noted that the British Embassy have issued an official statement denying that any British personnel were involved in Dundalk as alleged in the newspaper article. That statement also indicated that the only British personnel who had come here in connection with the case were the two British police officers who had come to deliver the warrants and then went on to Northern Ireland.
In view of what I have said, the issues relating to rights and procedures that are referred to in the second part of the question do not really arise but, since the matter has been mentioned, I would refer the Deputy to my reply to a Private Notice Question on 13 November (Official Report, Volume 353, column 1700) which related to the same case. In the course of that reply I took care to draw particular attention to the fact that fundamental legal requirements must not be ignored or overlooked and that rights must be respected.