asked the Taoiseach if he will state the date of the last occasion on which the Government formally represented to the British Government that Partition was the sole remaining obstacle to friendly relations between the two countries; the form in which this view was conveyed to the British Government, and the terms of their reply; and further, if any communication of the views of the Government, in relation to Partition, was conveyed to the various Governments of the British Commonwealth, and if so, if he will state the date and nature of such communication and the terms of the replies received from the Governments to which such communication was made.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Partition Problem.
As I have already informed the Dáil more than once, hardly a month passes that the question of Partition does not arise in one context or another in our relations with the British authorities and, so far as official action of the Government can hasten the ending of Partition, nothing that can usefully be done is being left undone. On many occasions I have made it clear that Partition is now the sole remaining obstacle to friendly relations with Britain. In a reply which I gave on the 9th October, I pointed out that Partition is necessarily implicit in every question of importance that may at any time be under discussion between the two Governments.
The British Government has a representative here. The Governments of Canada and Australia have, also, representatives here. Our views in relation to Partition have been expressed to these representatives whenever the opportunity offered, and, I am certain, have been conveyed to and are known by their Governments. I am equally convinced that they are known to the Governments of South Africa and New Zealand, as well as to those of many other countries. More formal communications would not have been helpful. Should it at any time appear to the Government, however, that a written communication of its views would contribute towards the solution of the problem, such a communication will be sent.
In view of the fact that Britain is now shedding her control over Burma and over India, is likely to be compelled to shed her extra-territorial rights in Egypt and has now intimated that she proposes to abandon Palestine, would the Taoiseach not consider the advisability, from an Irish standpoint, of making a formal demand on the British Government, that, just as she thinks it desirable to abandon these territories where she has no moral claim, she might emulate that good example by evacuating the Six Counties of this country which she occupies with as little moral claim as that with which she occupied the other countries she is now evacuating?
The whole question is whether making a formal demand of that sort is going to bring us nearer or make more difficult a solution of the problem. If a formal demand is made, that is but one step. I take it that people have to think of what is the next step.
While I appreciate that the Taoiseach's motives in this matter are undoubtedly based upon a desire to do what is best, will he bear in mind the fact that the process of making a formal demand on the British Government has been a successful one so far as India, Burma and Palestine are concerned? Would he not therefore endeavour to emulate their example by following the same methods?
I do not think it was merely a formal demand which got the response. I think that something more than that is necessary.
In view of the importance of this matter to our people here and in view of our apparent inability to explain why we cannot get this country evacuated by Britain, when she is evacuating other countries in which she has no moral title to remain, will the Taoiseach now reconsider the matter, with a view to making a formal demand so that the world may know that there is still an occupation force in this country?
The world knows pretty well what the situation in regard to Partition is.