Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 588: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the regime of bullying, intimidation and punishment beatings in areas of south Armagh; the action he has taken in this regard; the number of such incidents brought to his attention in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1453/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Government carefully monitors paramilitary and sectarian crime across Northern Ireland, including incidents of intimidation and harassment. All such activity, including so-called "punishment beatings", are cowardly criminal acts that have no place in a normal democratic society. The Government raises incidents of concern, including those arising in south Armagh, on an ongoing basis in our contacts with the relevant authorities, including through the framework of the British Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat in Belfast. I discussed these issues with Secretary of State Shaun Woodward at our meeting in Dublin on 10 January.

The brutal murder of Paul Quinn was an appalling reminder of the bullying and intimidation which has blighted communities across Northern Ireland for too long. The murder is being actively investigated by An Garda Síochána, which is receiving excellent co-operation and assistance from the PSNI. I, as well as the Taoiseach and Cabinet colleagues, have met with the parents of the deceased young man. I conveyed to them the sympathy of the Government for their terrible loss and our determination to see justice done in this matter. I would again encourage anyone who has information on this murder to pass it on to the two police forces. It is only though full co-operation with the law enforcement agencies that the authors of this vicious crime will be brought to justice.

Nonetheless, the substantial achievements made in attaining full political support for the institutions of policing and criminal justice in Northern Ireland, and in building confidence in the police across the community are having a positive effect on the ground. The PSNI reports a 37% drop in casualties resulting from paramilitary style assaults during the year to 31 March 2007, to 48. The Independent Monitoring Commission, established by the two Governments in 2004, has recorded a similar reduction in assaults.

The Government will continue to work with the appropriate authorities in Northern Ireland to encourage the continued development of community policing and the reduction of crimes such as bullying and harassment.