asked the Minister for Foreign affairs if he is concerned by the statements of leaders of the Catholic Church in the North of Ireland and leaders of the Nationalist community there to the effect that members of the British forces and RUC have adopted a new policy of summary execution; and the action he intends to take on the matter.

The Government have noted the statements made by leaders of the Catholic Church in Northern Ireland and by leaders of the Nationalist community there regarding fatal shootings by the security forces. The Government share the widespread concern at these shootings and I made known this concern to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when I met him recently in London.

Could the Minister indicate the response of the Secretary of State in this regard?

The practice in the past has been that details of discussions at such meetings are kept confidential and the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be proper for me to break with such precedent by revealing these details.