Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 202: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has raised the sectarian attacks on Nationalist homes in Old Throne Park in the Whitewell area with the British Government; and if he has called on Unionist and loyalist parties to use their influence to stop these attacks. [12476/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The incident to which the Deputy refers has been raised through the British-Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat in Belfast. The British Government has informed us that the incident in question involved a number of youths who climbed through a gap in the fence of Hazelwood school and then threw stones into Old Throne Park. The police came to the scene and noted the details of several individuals. These names have been forwarded to the youth diversion officer. The British side informed us that no damage to property was recorded. The Government has been assured that the school has been secured and the PSNI is endeavouring to find a resolution of the ongoing difficulties in this area, which have stretched over the past number of years.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 203: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the mechanisms by which he monitors the incidence of sectarian attacks in the Six Counties; the initiatives he has taken to contribute to the reduction of sectarianism; and if he consistently raises concerns regarding recent sectarian incidents when he meets with his British counterparts. [12477/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government consistently raises its concerns at sectarian attacks through the British-Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat in Belfast, at the regular meetings of the Intergovernmental Conference and at the frequent meetings between senior Ministers on both sides. At official level, we recently discussed incidents in Larne, Belfast and Derry with the authorities in Northern Ireland, with a view to ensuring every effort is made to prevent further incidents of this nature. The eradication of sectarianism is an important policy aim of the Government. In the declaration of support contained in the Good Friday Agreement, the Government committed itself, along with all the other parties, to the achievement of "reconciliation, tolerance, and mutual trust, and to the protection and vindication of the human rights of all". This objective is given practical expression by our support for the International Fund for Ireland, and also the work of the Government's reconciliation fund, which aims to assist organisations involved in reconciliation work and which has awarded grants exceeding €15.1 million to more than 480 organisations between 1999 and 2004. The Government also strongly supports community-based policing in Northern Ireland as the key to the creation of a safer society where the fear of sectarian and paramilitary attacks would become a thing of the past. It has closely monitored the implementation of the Patten recommendations in close liaison with the Oversight Commissioner for Policing, Mr. Al Hutchinson.