§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth 18W Affairs what protest has been made to the Eire Government about the Provisional Irish Republican Army conference which was held recently in Dublin and about the failure of the Eire Government to have arrested the Chief of Staff of the Provisional Irish Republican Army who addressed the conference; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GodberAlthough the Provisional Sinn Fein, which held the conference, is known to be the political counterpart of the Provisional Irish Republican Army and includes in its membership known members of the Provisional IRA, it is not an illegal organisation in the Republic. Action against John Stephenson and other IRA leaders attending the conference or operating in any way from the territory of the Republic is for the Government of the Republic to decide. That Government have repeatedly expressed their disapproval of violence. We have left them in no doubt of our view that more forthright action by them is necessary.