Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 30 May 1990

Vol. 399 No. 4

Written Answers. - Garda Inquiries into Birmingham Six Committee.

Roger T. Garland

Ceist:

48 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been drawn to the fact that members of the Birmingham Six Committee who participated in the weekly pickets outside the British Embassy have been visited and questioned in their own homes by members of the Garda Special Branch; and if his attention has also been drawn to the fact that many Members of both Houses of the Oireachtas are patrons of this committee and have participated in this picket; the reason the Garda Special Branch are operating in this manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mr. Burke)

The duties of the gardaí include the protection of foreign embassies in the State and I do not consider that it would be appropriate for me to comment in relation to the inquiries which gardaí deem necessary to make in connection with the discharge of this duty, or indeed in connection with any of their many other duties. It is open to any person who feels aggrieved at any Garda action to make a complaint on the matter to the Garda Síochána Complaints Board.