``Deep concern'' over Stoneyford files
Dáil challenge to Taoiseach and Justice Minister
The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern expressed ``deep concern'' over the recent discovery of over 300 files on nationalists in Stoneyford Orange Hall in County Antrim. He was responding to a question in the Dáil on Tuesday from Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin.
Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach if he had raised the issue with the British Prime Minister:
``Does the Taoiseach not agree that this is yet another damning indictment of collusion between the British forces and loyalists paramilitaries? What guarantee can be given now, that information passed from the Garda Síochána to the RUC will not end up in the hands of loyalist paramilitaries in the same way? Will the Taoiseach now require the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to end the flow of such information?''
Ahern said that there was deep concern on the part of the government but information exchange between the Gardaí and RUC would continue. ``We would always emphasise that any information which has to be passed on should remain of a confidential nature'' he said.
Ó Caoláin again raised the need for demilitarisation in South Armagh and the failure of Foreign Minister David Andrews to fulfil his promise to visit the area:
``Is it not hugely unhelpful, at a time such as this, that the Minister for Foreign Affairs has indicated in a reply to me recently, which I have already referred to in the House, that he has no intention of visiting South Armagh at the invitation of the South Armagh Farmers and Residents Committee as he promised to do over a year ago in my presence?''
Bertie Ahern's reply highlighted the fact that the Irish government is still waiting for the British to publish their long overdue `paper' on demilitarisation and went on:
``Much of the military infrastructure there could have been moved already, and we have continually emphasised that point. From my information and information from security journalists who have pointed to statistics over the years, these tower blocks, in addition to causing great difficulty for local communities, have not achieved much in terms of stopping terrorists and military operations on innocent people.''
Pressed on the question of Minister Andrews reneging on his commitment, Ahern claimed he was ``not aware of the circumstances''.
Also on Tuesday, the Sinn Féin TD questioned Justice Minister John O'Donoghue on the current review of the Offences Against the State Act (as highlighted in An Phoblacht last week). Ó Caoláin urged that the review be widespread and that public hearings be held around the state.
![[An Phoblacht]](http://republican-news.org/graphics/title_gifs/aprn.gif)