HC Deb 10 July 1980 vol 988 cc736-8
5. Mr. Canavan

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will arrange to meet the Gaelic athletic association to discuss the Army's occupation of the football ground at Crossmaglen.

Mr. Humphrey Atkins

The hon. Member for Liverpool, Scotland Exchange (Mr. Parry) has already made representations on this matter and my hon. Friend the Minister of State has offered to meet him and other interested parties on my behalf to discuss it.

Mr. Canavan

Is it not about time that this spoilsport Government gave the Army the red card and told it to get off the park? To compensate the Gaelic athletic association for the occupation of its ground would it not be a good idea for a group of Tory Members of Parliament—including the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland—to fly over Crossmaglen and do a sponsored jump—preferably without a parachute?

Mr. Atkins

I am not sure that I can go along with all those suggestions. Seriously, this has been a problem for some time. I hope that we are on the point of resolving it. We are most ready to discuss it with those closely concerned.

Mr. McCusker

Will the Secretary of State confirm that the ghastly total of soldiers and police killed in and around Crossmaglen is greater than in any comparable area in Northern Ireland? Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that the lives of soldiers and policemen currently serving there are far more important than the sport of Gaelic footballers, bearing in mind that they receive large subsidies of British taxpayers' money while at the same time viciously discriminating against members of the police and the Armed Forces?

Mr. Atkins

You asked me to answer only one question, Mr. Speaker. I shall give only one answer. Yes, Sir.

Mr. Parry

Is the Secretary of State aware that the presence of the Army in Crossmaglen is hampering children going to the local school as well as hampering people going to Sunday Mass? Will he not reconsider his decision and do what his right hon. Friend the Home Secretary did when he was Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Is he aware that on that occasion his right hon. Friend met members of the GAA and hon. Members to discuss the situation concerning Roger Casement park?

Mr. Atkins

I do not think that the Army's occupation of part of the ground belonging to the GAA has anything to do with people going to church or to school. The Army required, and still requires, part of the ground owned by the GAA. We are seeking to make arrangements to return it to it while at the same time safeguarding the interests of the Army, which is there to protect the population. As I say, we are most ready to talk to the people most closely concerned.

Mr. John

Will the Secretary of State make it quite clear that two parts of the ground have been occupied by the Army? That is my information. One part has been occupied in the last six months and that is the part which is being given up. Will he confirm that the Army is trying to give up all of this athletic ground?

Mr. Atkins

The Army is trying to give up the whole ground. In fact, it does not occupy the ground. It occupies part of the property belonging to the GAA. It is hoping to return to the GAA that part of the ground that was occupied in 1974. I think that we can come to an amicable arrangement—at least I hope that we can. As I said, we intend to discuss the matter with those concerned.