Vol. 514 No. 5
102 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the official channel of communication between the IRA and the Government is satisfied that the IRA ceasefire will remain; his views on whether the ceasefire is one of the most important aspects of the peace process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4734/00]
It is not clear what the Deputy has in mind when he refers to the official channel of communication between the IRA and the Government – the Taoiseach has already stated firmly in this House that there have not been and are no discussions between Government officials and the IRA. I have also made that very clear publicly. The Government's position is, therefore, well known on this issue.
There is no evidence available to suggest that the IRA ceasefire will not be maintained. In this regard, the Deputy will be aware of that organisation's recent statement that the peace process is under no threat from the IRA.
103 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to concerns regarding the behaviour of particular elements of the British Army serving in Northern Ireland in view of recent developments regarding the convicted murderer of a person (details supplied); if he will raise this issue with the British authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4735/00]
The cases of Karen Reilly and Martin Peake have caused widespread and justifiable concern in the Nationalist community. The Government has repeatedly expressed its concern about both these cases through the framework of the British-Irish intergovernmental conference.
As with all other cases of concern involving the actions of the security forces in Northern Ireland, these very tragic cases have been rigorously pursued through the machinery of the intergovernmental conference.
We have also been very conscious of the suffering of the Reilly and Peake families. Undoubtedly, their grief has been exacerbated by the recent developments and we sympathise greatly with them at this difficult time.
