Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:103 Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he intends to visit south Armagh at the invitation of the south Armagh farmers' and residents' committee; and, if so, when this will occur. [4619/99]
Written Answers. - Northern Ireland Issues.
I met with the south Armagh farmers and residents' committee in October 1998 to discuss issues of concern to them regarding the activities of the security forces in the area. At that meeting, I expressed my willingness to visit the area in the future and this remains my position. I hope, therefore to visit south Armagh at a mutually convenient time.
Since the above meeting, the Taoiseach has visited Newry and Armagh, and, I understand, has met with representatives of the group at a function in Newry during the course of that visit.
The matters of concern to the committee regarding the activities of the security forces in the area have been raised on an ongoing basis with the British authorities within the framework of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference, and will continue to be actively pursued, as necessary. I have also asked my officials to remain in active touch with the committee.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:104 Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action, if any, he proposes to take to ensure that an independent public inquiry is held into the killing of Belfast solicitor, Patrick Finucane, in view of the new evidence of collusion involving British forces as revealed in the British-Irish Rights Watch report presented to the Government. [4620/99]
A meeting was held on 12 February between the Minister for State at the Department, Deputy Liz ODonnell, and the relatives of Pat Finucane. Representatives of British-Irish Rights Watch, the Committee on the Administration of Justice and the law firm of Madden and Finucane were also present. At this meeting, a copy of a new report into the death of Pat Finucane was handed over to the Government. I understand that a copy was also given later that day to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
The report, entitled Deadly Intelligence, State Involvement in Loyalist Murder in Northern Ireland, was written by British-Irish Rights Watch. It alleges that new information has come to light regarding the involvement of the security forces in the murder of Pat Finucane. It focuses in particular on the alleged activities of a section of British military intelligence known as the Force Research Unit.
The allegations made in this report are very serious and, if true, deeply disturbing. At the meeting with the relatives, the Government undertook to study the report carefully and as a matter of urgency. This is currently under way. The issue of the murder of Pat Finucane has in the past been raised with the British authorities through the framework of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference. I expect that these new allegations will form the basis for renewed discussions with our British counterparts through the conference on the basis of our assessment of the British-Irish Rights Watch report.