§ Rev. Martin SmythTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the United States Administration and to Congress about the funding of Irish republican terrorist groups. [158775]
§ Mr. BattleThe UK and Irish Governments made a joint representation to the United States Government on 24 November 2000 requesting that the Real IRA be designated under the US Anti-terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996. This would make it illegal for anyone to raise funds for RIRA in the United States. The final decision on whether to designate is of course a matter for the US Government.