Results 1-20 of 31 for terrorism speaker:Michael Mates

Orders of the Day — Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill (23 Nov 2005)

Michael Mates: ...the hon. Member for Vauxhall (Kate Hoey), who speaks with sound common sense about a subject that she knows well. In my 31 years in this place, I have followed the tortuous path from the height of terrorism to something approaching peace from both sides and in many different roles, but I have never heard in the House such genuine anger and concern about a measure that a Government have...

Orders of the Day — Identity Cards Bill (20 Dec 2004)

Mr Michael Mates: ...In fact, the House may be surprised to know that, on 28 November 1974, I made my maiden speech on this subject, just after the Guildford and Birmingham bombings. We were taking the Prevention of Terrorism Act through the House for the first time. I said then that I thought that such a system would help in the fight against terrorism and crime, and I still believe that. The Home Secretary...

Terrorism Financing (Northern Ireland) (10 Jul 2003)

Mr Michael Mates: It gives me pleasure to open this debate on the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee report on the financing of terrorism in Northern Ireland. May I express my appreciation to the Minister and to those hon. Members who are not members of the Committee who are attending our debate? It is good to have their support for a debate on such an important subject. I know that it will be much appreciated...

Terrorism Financing (Northern Ireland) (10 Jul 2003)

Mr Michael Mates: ...sums of money year by year through criminal activities. They use those funds to consolidate their power bases. It should be remembered that the funds are available to them for use in future acts of terror should it become expedient, in their eyes, to renew that option. If we can cut them off from their funding, the threat of terrorism will be diminished and the arguments for a democratic...

Intelligence and Security Committee (3 Jul 2003)

Mr Michael Mates: ...goods through the post. I happened to come upon that issue in the other job that I do, which is chairing the Select Committee on Northern Ireland Affairs. During our inquiry into the financing of terrorism, we discovered a most appalling breach, which came out in the court case of the three IRA people who were arrested in Florida. They had sent firearms through the post to the IRA in the...

Northern Ireland (1 May 2003)

Mr Michael Mates: ...I would have liked to give you notice a little earlier. As some hon. Members may know, and as you certainly will know, the debate that was due to take place in Westminster Hall on the financing of terrorism in Northern Ireland had to be suspended because of the urgent statement on Northern Ireland. I do not argue with that decision, which was quite right. However, the House should surely...

Bill Presented: Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Bill (2 Sep 1998)

Mr Michael Mates: ...experienced a unique sense of deja vu as I have sat listening to the debate, because it was from this very seat 24 years ago that I made my maiden speech during proceedings on the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Bill, which was introduced in 1974 by the noble Lord Jenkins as a result of the Birmingham and Guildford bombs. It was difficult to take the legislation through very...

Bill Presented: Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Bill (2 Sep 1998)

Mr Michael Mates: I hope that I made it clear that all terrorism should be denounced. There is no excuse for any terrorism whatever, and we should do all that we can to prevent it. I may have a perspective on internment that is unusual in the House, in that I am totally opposed to it. I was in Northern Ireland in the early 1970s when internment was introduced, and I saw its consequences. As someone said, it...

Northern Ireland (Prevention of Terrrorism) (8 Jun 1993)

Mr Michael Mates: ...to give full consideration to the powers in place to continue the fight against the terrorists in Northern Ireland—powers which remain necessary and will be used resolutely as long as terrorism persists. Many interesting and worthwhile points have been made during the debate. The hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull, North (Mr. McNamara) welcomed, as I did, the prospect of a change to...

Northern Ireland (Prevention of Terrrorism) (8 Jun 1993)

Mr Michael Mates: ...of the day we shall have to implement them resolutely and, given the circumstances, as sensitively as possible in pursuit of the Government's first aim in Northern Ireland—the eradication of terrorism. One day it may no longer be necessary, but until that time comes the legislation must remain in place. That is why it is impossible to understand why the official Opposition cannot...

Prayers: Ulster (Bombings) (27 May 1993)

Mr Michael Mates: ...elections serves simply to underscore two points—the terrorists' contempt for the democratic process and their misunderstanding of the British Government and the people of Northern Ireland. Terrorism will not prevail. I simply state the inescapable truth. The resolve of the Government and the people during the past 23 years has been tested by evil assaults from terrorists of all...

Prayers: Ulster (Bombings) (27 May 1993)

Mr Michael Mates: ...are duties all Governments must make their first priority. It is the first priority of the Government in Northern Ireland, who set the policy and provide the resources. To confront and defeat terrorism is also the overriding concern of the Chief Constable, supported by the General Officer Commanding, who directs the operations of the security forces to achieve that goal. We each bear...

Oral Answers to Questions — Northern Ireland: Security (18 Mar 1993)

Mr Michael Mates: ...three civilians, two Royal Ulster Constabulary Officers and one soldier. The Government, through the work of the police and armed forces, and with the support of the public, will defeat terrorism from whichever side of the community it comes. There is no lack of will or determination on the Government's part or on the part of the security forces. An example of the level of police...

Oral Answers to Questions — Northern Ireland: Security (18 Mar 1993)

Mr Michael Mates: ...and the Royal Ulster Constabulary. We shall continue to try to get the message across in the United States of the importance of neither directly nor indirectly supporting the root cause of the terrorism, but inevitably some arms and money will slip through the net.

Oral Answers to Questions — Northern Ireland: Security (18 Mar 1993)

Mr Michael Mates: ...for my colleagues at the Ministry of Defence. We shall ask for and hope to get a sufficient level of Army personnel to support the police as and when the police need that support. If we can reduce terrorism and obtain some political development, we can achieve what we all hope to achieve: more primacy of the police, more areas in which the police can operate without the support of the...

Oral Answers to Questions — Northern Ireland: Security (18 Mar 1993)

Mr Michael Mates: The Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act is a most important tool which the Government need and which the House was asked to support. I am happy that the House did so.

Oral Answers to Questions — Northern Ireland: Security (18 Feb 1993)

Mr Michael Mates: ...result of the security situation in Northern Ireland, including five civilians, one member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and two soldiers. The Government are determined to secure the defeat of terrorism, from whichever side of the community it comes. The police, supported by the Army, are continuing their efforts to prevent and deter terrorist attacks and to bring those responsible for...

Oral Answers to Questions — Northern Ireland: Terrorism (18 Feb 1993)

Mr Michael Mates: .... and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence and not for me. However, the contribution made by Army and RAF helicopters in Northern Ireland is of inestimable value in the fight against terrorism.

Oral Answers to Questions — Northern Ireland: Terrorism (21 Jan 1993)

Mr Michael Mates: ...of the security situation in Northern Ireland, including eight civilians and one soldier from the Royal Irish Regiment. The determination of the Government and the security forces is unequivocal: terrorism will be defeated through the vigorous, impartial and effective actions—within the law—of the police, supported by the army and the general public. The security forces...

Oral Answers to Questions — Northern Ireland: Terrorism (21 Jan 1993)

Mr Michael Mates: I do not speak for the Labour party. Many Labour Members are as determined as the Government to resist all forms of terrorism within the United Kingdom and anywhere else. To answer the first question, I can confirm that there has been a major improvement in security co-operation between the forces of law and order, north and south, on the island of Ireland since the signing of the...