71 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether the Provisional IRA is still involved in paramilitary activities, both south and north of the Border, by way of punishment beatings and intimidation; if this is blatantly in breach of the peace process; if his attention has so been drawn to the fact, whether he has made his views and concerns known to the Sinn Féin leadership; and if so, the response he has received. [10285/02]

Punishment beatings, shootings and other acts of intimidation are barbaric practices which have no place in a democratic society. They are totally unacceptable. This has been communicated to all parties to the Good Friday Agreement, including Sinn Féin. The Government has consistently condemned punishment attacks and called for an immediate end to all such acts of violence. The matter is discussed on an ongoing basis through the secretariat of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference.

The statistics available show that punishment attacks rose by a third last year on the previous year, with loyalist paramilitaries clearly responsible for the majority of this increase. In 2001, 331 punishment attacks were recorded by the police – 212 have been attributed to loyalist paramilitaries, 121 shootings and 91 assaults, while republican paramilitaries were responsible for 119 such attacks, 66 shootings and 53 assaults.

From the beginning of this year up to 10 March, 57 punishment attacks took place. Of these, 37 have been attributed to loyalist paramilitaries – 30 shootings and seven assaults – and 20 have been attributed to republican paramilitaries – 17 shootings and three assaults. This figure is nearly double the total number of attacks carried out by both loyalists and republicans for the same period last year.

In so far as this jurisdiction is concerned, the Deputy will be aware that a particular Garda investigation is ongoing into certain events which might come within the terms of the question. In the circumstances, it would not be appropriate to make any further comment other than to say that any allegations of criminal activity of the kind referred to by the Deputy will be fully investigated by the Garda Síochána.

72 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the recent report from the Phase II Group in Northern Ireland, which disclosed that almost 700 people had been driven from their homes and their communities in 2001 as a result of threats from republican and paramilitary organisations; if he has raised this issue with the political parties associated with these paramilitary organisations; if so, the response he has received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10254/02]

The Government unequivocally condemns the abhorrent practice of paramilitary exiling. I have frequently called for an end this unacceptable practice and have urged the political parties associated with paramilitary organisations to make every effort to ensure that all the exiles, wherever they currently reside, can return safely to their homes. There can be no justification for any paramilitary group in Northern Ireland to violate the right of all citizens to freely choose their place of residence, a fundamental right which has been recognised in the Good Friday Agreement.

75 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on progress in Strand Two of the Good Friday Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7695/02]

91 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the potential of the success of the North-South institutions; the progress of the concept of an island economy which has been fully developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10457/02]

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 75 and 91 together.

Strand Two of the Good Friday Agreement provided for the establishment of the North-South Ministerial Council, NSMC, to bring together those with executive responsibilities in Northern Ireland and the Irish Government to develop co-operation, consultation and action within the island of Ireland on matters of mutual interest within the competence of both administrations.