Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 6 Feb 1996

Vol. 461 No. 1

Written Answers - Drug-Related Killings.

Máirín Quill

Ceist:

31 Miss Quill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether the Direct Action Against Drugs organisation is merely a cover name for the IRA; and the impact its spate of murders in Northern Ireland is having on the peace process. [19276/96]

Bertie Ahern

Ceist:

40 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether the spate of drug-related killings in the North is a breach, though not a breakdown, of the cease-fire in the event that IRA personnel using a cover name were involved. [1291/96]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 40 together.

The Government has repeatedly condemned the series of killings which took place in the period up to 1 January of this year and which were alleged to be related to drug dealing. I am aware that the so-called Direct Action Against Drugs has claimed responsibility for these killings. I am also aware of the speculation linking this group to the IRA and of the view of the security forces in Northern Ireland in this regard. In addition to these so-called punishment killings, both republican and loyalist groups have been linked to so-called punishment attacks and threats.

I can assure the House that at all meetings with those parties which are close to the thinking of paramilitary groups, the Government have urged them to use their influence to the utmost to bring so-called punishment killings and attacks to an end. We have forcibly brought home to them our utter condemnation of these barbaric acts. We have also pointed out how such practices undermine the trust and confidence which are critical to moving the peace process forward.

The International body has recommended, as one of its six principles of democracy and non-violence, that the parties to all-party negotiations affirm their total and absolute commitment to bringing punishment beatings and killings to an end. I repeat the Government's call on all the parties to accept the six principles and to reinforce public confidence, as the Mitchell body recommended, that violence or the threat of violence would never be used in the future to pursue political or other ends.

As regards the question of a breach or a breakdown of the ceasefire, I would hesitate to make a definitive pronouncement for two reasons. First, I would not wish, on such an important issue, to make a definitive judgment without the utmost certainly as to the facts. Second, without in any way minimising the scope and impact of these crimes, we must not lose sight of other areas where the ceasefire has been sustained in a disciplined way.

I share fully the concern expressed by the Deputies regarding the killings in question, as they, no doubt, share my hope that these have now ended. The Government will continue to work to bring an end to all so-called punishment attacks and to encourage all parties to accept unequivocally the six principles of democracy and non-violence recommended in the report of the international body.