HC Deb 24 January 1972 vol 829 cc956-9
22. Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the result of Her Majesty's Government's representations in Dublin regarding the use of the territory of the Irish Republic for hostile activities against the United Kingdom, and requests for extradition of persons implicated in criminal acts in Northern Ireland.

48. Mr. Chichester-Clark

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further representations he has made to the Government of the Irish Republic on the subject of extradition of those in the Republic of Ireland wanted for trial in connection with alleged offences against British security forces in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Anthony Royle

Representations on specific extradition requests would not normally be appropriate given the strict division in the Republic, as in the United Kingdom, between Executive and Judiciary. We are, however, awaiting clarification of one particular case where an extradition request in connection with a murder charge was refused despite apparently irrefutable proof of identification.

We strongly deplore the fact that terrorists in the North are able to seek sanctuary and a base in the South. We have made our views absolutely clear to the Government of the Irish Republic.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

While understanding the Toiseach's difficulty in dealing with the I.R.A. without resorting to internment which was the method of Mr. De Valera's Government, may I ask whether it has been made clear to him that we in this House are finding it increasingly difficult to justify to our constituents the continuation of the privileged position of Eire in Britain?

Mr. Royle

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister had a chance to discuss the Irish situation with Mr. Lynch yesterday when they reviewed the situation on both sides of the Border. Details of the talks must remain confidential but my right hon. Friend took the opportunity to remind Mr. Lynch that while we welcome the measures which the Irish Government have already taken the problem of movement across the Border remains, and we would hope for the full co-operation of the Republican authorities.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

Will my hon. Friend renew and increase the pressure in this direction? Is he aware that more than 110 people who are now wanted for matters connected with the Irish Republican Army are believed to be in the Republic? Was the case to which he was referring and on which he has made representations the notorious Killybegs case?

Mr. Royle

Yes, the case I was referring to was that of Mr. Gallagher. We are still seeking elucidation from the Irish authorities on certain puzzling features in Irish court procedure. For example, there was the failure of the court at Killybegs on 20th October to accept that a man wanted for the murder of a policeman in Strabane had been properly identified, even when a photograph, a full description, details of tattoo marks, fingerprints, and a witness were available. We have received a reply but no explanation to our repeated inquiries on this point.

Mr. Duffy

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the speech at Strasbourg last week of the Dublin Minister of Justice, Mr. O'Malley, in which he repudiated any such suggestion that the Irish Republic is being used as a base for hostilities against Northern Ireland or as a source of explosives for use in Northern Ireland?

Mr. Royle

I am aware of Mr. O'Malley's statement in Strasbourg. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister expressed his regret about it to Mr. Lynch.

Mr. Stallard

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that questions of this kind from hon. Members opposite only make a bad situation much worse and cause a deterioration in relations we are trying to mend? Would it not be far better if they spent more time making constructive noises about the end of internment and trying to create a decent atmosphere in which people of good will can bring the trouble to an end?

Mr. Royle

There is natural concern on both sides of the House about this matter and it is quite right and proper that it should be expressed.

Rev. Ian Paisley

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that when a young British soldier lost his life on Friday, the fuse wire which detonated the land mine ran into the territory of the Irish Republic? Is he also aware that there were two serious incidents on the Border yesterday when 600 people in one instance and 100 people in the other case came across the Border and there was a serious confrontation with British troops? Will the hon. Gentleman impress upon the leaders of the Irish Republic the necessity to ensure that their part of the Border is properly guarded and that the terrorists are kept down there?

Mr. Royle

We are aware of the shocking and tragic death of Private Stentiford last Friday. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister drew Mr. Lynch's attention to it and suggested that, when there seemed to be a certain amount of evidence to suggest that the perpetrators of the crime were operating from south of the Border, action should be taken.

Mr. Hattersley

The hon. Gentleman continually refers to the conversation which took place yesterday between the Prime Minister and the Prime Minister of the Irish Republic. Did the Prime Minister refer yesterday to the cratering of the roads during which operation the unfortunate and tragic death referred to by the hon. Member for Antrim, North (Rev. Ian Paisley) occurred? If so, did the right hon. Gentleman continue to pretend that this operation had some military significance or did he accept that it was simply a political act?

Mr. Hoyle

The matter of cratering was discussed by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister yesterday with Mr. Lynch. Cratering was a necessary step in an attempt to reduce the cross-Border traffic in smuggled arms and ammunition. Details of military operations are matters for my right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State for Defence.