Vol. 411 No. 4
89 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give details of the explanation he has received from the Northern Ireland Office for the presence of a British Army patrol in direct contact with the community and without a police presence at 3 p.m. at the junction of Cookestown Road and Coalpit Road, Dungannon on 25 July 1991; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Upon receipt of the Deputy's question, I instructed my officials to raise this matter through the Anglo-Irish Secretariat in Belfast and I will be in further communication with the Deputy when a reply is received.
The Deputy will be aware that the Government have consistently emphasised to the British authorities the importance which they attach to their joint objective of ensuring as rapidly as possible that, save in the most exceptional circumstances, there is a police presence in all operations which involve direct contact with the community.
The Government will continue to accord the policy of accompaniment high priority in their discussions with the British Government under the Anglo-Irish Agreement.
