Bruton demands apology for Bloody Sunday deaths

THE Taoiseach demanded an apology for those killed in Bloody Sunday in Derry, but stopped short of calling for a new inquiry.

I think it is very clear, in any event, that the people who were shot were entirely innocent of any wrongdoing and that they deserve an unambiguous apology in the matter," said Mr Bruton.

He said he had spoken to the British Prime Minister, Mr Major, and expressed the view that there was widespread disquiet arising from recent publications and the Channel 4 programme, all of which suggested new evidence and the requirement to have a new look at the matter.

He added that Mr Major had indicated to him he would take a fresh look at any evidence presented. He had told the Prime Minister that the Irish Government would assemble evidence and present it to him.

"In the light of that evidence, it will then be a matter for decision on what the next step should be. Perhaps a further inquiry might be the appropriate course, perhaps a further inquiry is not necessary at all. Perhaps the evidence would be sufficiently clear to persuade the British government to do what is necessary to assuage the concerns of the relatives. And I hope that a satisfactory outcome will be reached."

Mr Bruton added that he intended pursuing the matter "vigorously and consistently".

Asked by the Fianna Fail leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, how long the gathering of evidence would take, Mr Bruton replied that he could not say. "It is being undertaken by the Department of Foreign Affairs and by my Department."

Earlier the Taoiseach said he had emphasised to Mr Major the importance of the speedy implementation of the recommendations of the North review on traditional marches.

He emphasised, in particular, putting in place as soon as possible the proposed independent parades commission with the recommended functions and powers.

"I put it strongly to the Prime Minister that, in view of the overriding imperatives of the situation regarding parades, the suggested eight weeks' consultation period was too long. Implementation of the recommendations by a group that had already consulted widely should proceed without delay.

"The Government believe that this is particularly important because of the urgency of the need to take pre-emptive action if we are to avoid a repetition, or worse, of last year's bitter confrontations. Of course, in that regard there is an onus on all sides to exercise maximum responsibility and restraint and to engage in dialogue with a view to optimising the extent of agreement."

The PD leader, Ms Mary Harney, suggested that the unionists would be far better off confronting the parades issue, and all that it involved, rather than complaining about the visits made to the North by the President, Mrs Robinson.

Mr Bruton said he might well have a view on that matter, but he was not certain it would be necessarily productive for him to become involved in telling other political parties what they should, or should not, be talking about. It would be engaging in "megaphone politics", which he did not think was particularly useful.

The Ceann Comhairle, Mr Sean Treacy, said the President should not be referred to, and most certainly should not be involved in controversy, in the House.

Ms Harney said she agreed, but added that the President should not have been the subject of such abuse either from certain unionist politicians who had complained to the British Foreign Office.

Replying further to Ms Harney, the Taoiseach said there was an obligation on everybody, and particularly on the unionist politicians because of their considerable involvement with the Orange Order, to deal with the issue of the effect that certain marches had on community relations.