asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has raised, in the Anglo-Irish Conference context, events surrounding the Marley funeral on 7/8/9 April; the damage done to relations between the Nationalist community and the security forces in Northern Ireland, the propaganda coup afforded the IRA and the distress experienced by the relatives of the dead man, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Conduct at Northern Ireland Funeral.
39.
In accordance with Article 7 of the Anglo-Irish Agreement it is customary for the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental conference to consider the security situation and to discuss matters which have a bearing on relations between the security forces and the community.
Events at recent funerals of paramilitaries were discussed at a meeting of the conference which took place on 22 April last. I believe there is acceptance on both sides that every effort should be made to allow such funerals, as much as any other funerals, to be conducted in a dignified manner and with respect for the grief of the bereaved familes. I note that, in an interview published on 22 April, the Chief Constable of the RUC recognised the need to "show respect for the bereaved and ensure there is dignity attached to funerals".
I believe there is an awareness also that paramilitary organisations have cynically exploited the grief and solemnity of funerals in order to provoke confrontation with the security forces.
Will the Minister indicate if the response from the Northern Secretary, Mr. King, was sympathetic to the view he was expressing? The Minister will recall that only yesterday we had a similar occurrence in the North. Like the Minister, I condemn irresponsible elements of the Nationalist community who would exploit such a sad occasion for their own Machiavellian purposes. Did Mr. King respond to the views put forward by the Minister? Did he give any undertaking to the Minister that in future he would ask the security forces to be sensitive on such emotive occasions?
That is precisely the word I used in expressing a point of view similar to that expressed by the Deputy when I spoke to Mr. King. I emphasised the view that these funerals should be handled by the security forces with the maximum tact and sensitivity. That continues to be my point of view and I expressed it yesterday when I heard of clashes having taken place at a funeral. Having regard to the emotive content involved in the delicate area of funerals it behoves everyone including the security forces and the paramilitaries to behave with the Christian sensitivity which has always obtained in regard to the Irish tradition of burying their dead.
If Mr. King and the Northern Ireland security forces continually disregard the Minister's case what other measures does he intend to adopt to bring the point home more forcibly to them?
All I can do is exercise whatever moral persuasion I can. Newspaper photographs and television coverage bear out the need for a greater degree of sensitivity on the part of the security forces and that is not to excuse the fact that there is a high provocation element involved as well involving the paramilitaries who deliberately set out to provoke a situation. There is that type of confrontation arising at funerals and it runs counter to the sensibilities of the overwhelming majority of Irish people of every persuasion.