Bruton voices grave concern over continued North attacks

THE Taoiseach expressed "grave concern about the continued sectarian attacks by loyalists in the North.

Mr Bruton said the participation of political parties in the multi-party talks should be as comprehensive as possible, and his objective in obtaining their establishment was to have all parties at the table.

"But clearly the parties must be there to represent non-violent politics and not something else. And the Mitchell principles set out the requirements in very clear terms. Parties must adhere to the Mitchell principles in every sense, not just on paper, but in the behaviour of their adherents and in the way they exercise control over the behaviour of their adherents.

"The Mitchell principles are not simply a formula; they represent a commitment which must be made by all of the parties."

He said there were procedures set out for raising a question about the compliance of any organisation with the Mitchell principles, and it was open to anyone who wished to lodge a complaint. "I do not think anyone should attempt to prejudge a matter in the absence of a particular complaint being lodged and investigated."

The Taoiseach was replying to the Fianna Fail leader, Mr Bertie Ahern who referred to the growth in sectarian attacks in recent weeks. He added that a ceasefire should be held in all cases by everybody, and there was no great benefit in any one movement saying there was a ceasefire while there were regular attacks from that community.

Earlier, the murder of the chairman of Bellaghy GAA club, Mr Sean Brown, was condemned by all sides of the House. The Taoiseach said it was an apparently callous sectarian attack. I wish to express my deep sympathy, and the sympathy of the Government, and I believe of all the people of the State, to his family, to Bellaghy, the people of Derry and to the GAA."

It was extremely important, he added, that "this spiral of sectarian killing" be brought to an end. "We must recognise that this is a blot on the good name of all the people who live in the areas affected."

Mr Ahern also condemned the murder and extended his sympathy to his Family and the community, adding that he welcomed the "strong and pointed" remarks of the Church of Ireland Primate, Archbishop Eames.

Mr Bruton said sectarian attacks were not just an awful injustice to the families and individuals targeted, but they also were a shame on the community from which the perpetrators came. "I think we need to restore some sense of shame about what is happening at the present time. There is a tendency to speak about attacks like this in a formulaic way, and to become almost numbed by their repetitive character and indeed the copycat character of these attacks.

The PD leader, Ms Mary Harney, also extended sympathy to the family. "It is not just the murder of Sean Brown, it is also an attack on the GAA and all that it stands for."

On Mr Bruton's meeting with the British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair, the PD leader said the most effective way in the short-term of injecting energy and momentum into the peace process would be a reinstatement of the IRA ceasefire. The newly-elected Sinn Fein MPs should use their considerable influence to bring it about she added.

Mr Bruton said a total cessation of violence would be of enormous positive benefit in the situation and he urged all those in the republican movement, whether elected or otherwise, to use their influence to achieve it.

Replying to Mr Ahern, he said he was willing to authorise official level contact with Sinn Fein where there was a specific matter to be discussed Which was liable to lead, if satisfactorily dealt with, to an imminent ceasefire. "That has been the position, and it remains the position."

Asked by Ms Harney if the talks would resume on June 3rd, and if the Government would be represented at Ministerial level, if there was an election in the Republic, the Taoiseach said it would.