Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 364: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will raise the serious issue of sectarianism in Ballymena with the British authorities; and if he will support the minority in that town. [20382/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The ongoing problems with sectarian crime in the North Antrim area are a cause of very serious concern. The most recent manifestation of this was the murder of Michael McIlveen. This incident was a shocking reminder that sectarian hatred and violence still plague communities across Northern Ireland.

Following this tragic death, we raised specific concerns about the security situation in the Ballymena area with the British authorities, particularly regarding the threat of further violence. We also inquired as to the measures put in place to prevent a recurrence of the violence and intimidation witnessed last summer. We have been advised that a number of additional officers and patrols are being deployed in Ballymena to combat sectarian violence. In addition, an intelligence-led police operation initiated in 2005 to tackle sectarian crime is ongoing. Officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs met with local political representatives in Ballymena in the past week to assess the situation at first hand. We will, of course, continue to monitor this situation closely over the summer period.

This horrific incident was only the latest in a very worrying pattern of sectarian attacks in parts of Northern Ireland in recent years. In the context of ongoing sectarian violence last summer, the Government raised concerns about the situation with the British authorities on a regular basis. Officials from my Department visited the areas most seriously affected throughout the summer months to meet local residents, community and political representatives. In addition, I travelled to West Belfast and North Antrim to meet residents who had been subjected to intimidation or attacks, and to discuss the ongoing situation with them. I also met with another group of residents who travelled to Dublin to convey their concerns to me directly.

At these meetings, local residents in particular sought assurances that sufficient police resources would be deployed to counter these attacks, and we have raised this specific concern with the British authorities. We continue to monitor police resources in the areas most directly affected.

The issue of sectarianism and sectarian violence has been and remains a priority item on the agenda of the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference. In addition, we have also raised these issues directly with the leaderships of the Northern Ireland political parties in our discussions with them, emphasising the importance of providing positive leadership to improve community relations in these areas. As the marching season approaches, the Government will continue to monitor closely the situation on the ground in sensitive areas, including North Antrim, parts of Belfast, Derry, Lurgan and Portadown.