Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 November 2012
1. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he has had with the Northern Executive and with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland following the recent murder of a prison officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50248/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI take the opportunity to condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the brutal killing of prison officer David Black on Thursday, 1 November. This was a murder, pure and simple, carried out by people who have no regard for human life. The universal condemnation from across the political spectrum in Northern Ireland and the unified reaction from the two Governments underlined the solidity of the peace process. Public statements made by the Taoiseach, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, and me reinforced the message of solidarity with Mr. Black’s family and his colleagues in the Northern Ireland Prison Service. The Minister attended Mr. Black’s funeral.
I had an opportunity to speak with the Northern Ireland Minister of Justice, David Ford, MLA, at the North-South Ministerial Council on 2 November and I conveyed through him my sympathy and that of the Government to Mr. Black's widow, Yvonne, and his children, Kyra and Kyle. I spoke with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on the day of the killing and we discussed the matter again when we met on Tuesday, 6 November. I underlined to the Secretary of State the Government’s determination to co-operate with the Northern Ireland authorities to bring David Black’s killers to justice. The Secretary of State and I are of the same view that those responsible for this murder are criminal terrorists motivated by hate and an inability to accept that the vast majority of the people of this island want to move on and forge a better life for themselves.
In addition to discussions at political level, strong and deep co-operation exists between An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland to counter such individuals and groups. The number of arrests made in connection with paramilitary activity in both jurisdictions continues to be significant. The Garda and the PSNI will continue to co-operate closely to combat such activity on both sides of the Border and to ensure those who plan and carry out such atrocities are pursued and brought to justice.
When I attended the remembrance day ceremonies in Belfast last weekend I had an opportunity to convey condolences on behalf of the Government to some of David Black’s colleagues in the Northern Ireland Prison Service. I also had an opportunity to reiterate the Government’s condemnation at the SDLP conference which I addressed on Saturday night.
I thank the Tánaiste for his reply and agree with every word he uttered regarding this brutal murder. I condemn in the strongest terms the brutal murder of David Black, who was shot several times. By all accounts he was an exemplary officer and it appears from newspaper reports that a new paramilitary grouping has claimed responsibility following the merger of other groups. Such groups have no place in Irish society. My party's leader, Deputy Micheál Martin, also attended Mr. Black's funeral. I know from meeting the Secretary of State that the co-operation between the Garda and the PSNI is excellent. I urge the Tánaiste to use every forum available to him, whether in this jurisdiction or in Northern Ireland, to send the message that such co-operation will continue at all levels of our security forces and everything will be done to bring those murderers to justice.
I thank the Deputy for his support and acknowledge the presence of the Fianna Fáil leader at the funeral of Mr. David Black. The Deputy referred to the claim of responsibility for this murder from a newly merged group of dissident republicans. According to news reports, responsibility for the murder of Mr Black has been claimed by a group of so-called dissidents comprising the Real IRA, Republican Action against Drugs and various other activists.
These groups have no public support and no identifiable ideology. Communities, North and South, have been united in their condemnation of this brutal attack. Those involved are criminal terrorists who are motivated by hate and have an inability to accept that the majority on this island want to move on and forge a better life. These criminal terrorists are stuck in the past that everyone else wants to leave behind. I assure the Deputy and the House that the Government is working closely with the British Government, the Northern Ireland Executive, the Minister for Justice in Northern Ireland, Mr. David Ford, the Garda and the PSNI to bring to justice those responsible for this killing.
It was pathetic to hear the group responsible use the excuse of tensions in the jail as being the cause of this murder. Tensions in the jail are not an excuse for violence, never mind the wilful taking of a life. Groups commonly referred to as dissident groups can be the incubators of violent extremism. Therefore, the activities of these and other vigilante groups must be dealt with. Such groupls have been operating in Derry where there have been more than 20 pipe bomb incidents. I share the Tánaiste's view that this issue must be dealt with on an all-island basis. The people living on this island spoke at the end of May 1998, following the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. There was virtually a unanimous vote in favour of the new political structures. There are no grounds, therefore, for political or any other form of violence in this country. This message must be hammered home to such groups on all occasions.
