Dáil Éireann - Volume 445 - 18 October, 1994

Written Answers. - Stalker and Sampson Reports.

121. Mr. J. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the representations, if any, he has made through the mechanisms of the Anglo-Irish Agreement in regard to the refusal of the British authorities to make the Stalker and Sampson Reports on an alleged shoot-to-kill policy by the RUC in the early 1980s available to the coroner investigating the deaths of persons (details supplied). [895/94]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring): The circumstances surrounding the deaths of the individuals referred to have been a matter of deep disquiet to the Government and were raised through the mechanisms of the Ango-Irish Conference. We have consistently emphasised the importance of comprehensive inquiries into these killings, and the provision of full co-operation by the authorities in this respect, including in the context of the relevant inquest procedures. As regards these procedures generally, the Government has, in the light of this and other cases, and bearing in mind the concerns which exist about deficiencies in the present system, put forward views and proposals aimed at addressing these concerns through the framework of the Anglo-Irish Agreement.