asked the Taoiseach if the Government has as yet reached any decision on the question of inviting the elected representatives of the people in the occupied portion of our country to take their seats in Dáil Éireann.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Northern Representatives in Dáil.
The Government have given very full and careful consideration to this matter. Having regard to the constitutional, legal and other difficulties involved, the Government do not intend to make any proposals for the admission to Dáil Éireann of the representatives referred to in the Deputy's question.
The Government, however, have been considering whether Seanad Éireann should not be consulted with a view to making provision for giving them a right of audience in the Seanad.
Do I take it from the Taoiseach's reply that the Government have decided that they will not make any proposals for the amendment of the Constitution to enable those representatives to take their seats in this Parliament?
Yes, but the Deputy must realise that there are other difficulties besides constitutional difficulties which would not be resolved, even if the people were to amend the Constitution.