Vol. 476 No. 5
6 Mr. O'Malley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the continuing scandal of so-called punishment beatings in Northern Ireland which in 1996 were four times greater in number than in 1994 and which are still continuing; and whether the Government will seek to use its influence with Sinn Féin and the two smaller loyalist parties to have this barbaric practice terminated forthwith. [7734/97]
The Government has made clear on many occasions its total abhorrence of these attacks. Their persistence and increase remains a matter of grave concern. The Government's position on this matter is clear and unambiguous. Such acts are totally reprehensible and antidemocratic practices and they should be brought to an immediate end. The actions of those involved in organising and carrying them out are repugnant and entirely inconsistent with the rule of law.
The inflicting of punishment beatings is also incompatible with the principles and objectives of the peace process. As the Deputy will recall, the Mitchell principles call on all participants in all-party negotiations "to urge that punishment killings and beatings stop and to take effective steps to prevent such actions". The report goes on to state that the members of the international body "join the Governments, religious leaders and many others in condemning punishment killings and beatings. They contribute to the fear that those who have used violence to pursue political objectives in the past will do so again in the future. Such actions have no place in a lawful society".
The Government fully endorses that position. The ending of punishment beatings would be a significant confidence building measure. Sinn Féin and the loyalist parties are well aware of our views on this issue. We have made clear on a number of occasions the importance of both using whatever influence they may have to put an end to these attacks. Spokespersons for these parties have said that they are opposed to such attacks. It remains vital that they should bring their influence within their respective communities to bear on the issue to ensure that these attacks are brought to an end.
Is the Minister aware that the attacks and beatings not alone continued during the 18 months of the ceasefire but increased in intensity? Will he agree that they are not indicative of people who are prepared to resort to normal political activity but rather of those who seek to get their way by non-political and violent means? Will he seek to use the Government's influence with the three parties mentioned to try to bring to an end immediately this barbarity which besmirches the name of Ireland and ask these people what justification they have for a continuance of these practices?
I am in absolute agreement with the Deputy. The Government abhors the practice of punishment beatings which is outside the rule of law. The people engaged in such attacks, whether in Northern Ireland or the South, are acting contrary to the spirit and principles underlying the prospects of establishing peace on this island. We have used the opportunity at all times — I would expect all parties in the House to do the same — to make clear that the Government does not accept punishment beatings. As I have said on many occasions, we want to see a restoration of the ceasefire and an end to violence or the threat of it. I consider punishment beatings part and parcel of the threat of violent activity.
When the Minister states that he wants to see a resumption of the ceasefire does he take the point that during the former ceasefire these activities not alone continued but increased in intensity and in number? Is there anything he can do to ensure, for example, that associated matters such as the purported banishment of people from Northern Ireland will cease and, in particular, that the bodies of the dozens of people who have been murdered by republican and loyalist activists will be uncovered and returned to their families?
The Government has made it clear — other parties have done likewise — that on the restoration of a ceasefire there should be no activity on the ground inconsistent with a ceasefire. I regard punishment beatings part and parcel of this. As a former Minister for Justice, the Deputy is aware that there is very little we can do apart from asking and pleading with people and making it clear to them that we will not tolerate this activity. It is the consistent view of all Members of the House that punishment beatings are not acceptable in a democratic society.
The Minister stated that this activity in a ceasefire will not be tolerated. Is he not aware that during the last ceasefire it was in a sense tolerated? Sinn Féin and the two smaller loyalist parties were flavour of the month at the time; it seemed that everybody wanted to get them on side and keep them there. Little was said about the activities that were taking place during the ceasefire, including punishment beatings and the re-arming and regrouping of the IRA.
When opportunities arose, as they did, during the last ceasefire to make clear and make known to Sinn Féin and the loyalist parties the Government and civil society's abhorrence of punishment beatings, that was done and it will be done again. I want to see and end — not a ceasefire — to violence on this island, to which the Deputy also subscribes. All democratic politicians in this House want that. Consistent with this would be the ending of punishment beatings or the threat of their use in any community.
