May I ask the Taoiseach if, in view of the request made by Mr. Charles McGleenan that he, as the elected representative of the people of South Armagh, be accorded a right of audience in Dáil Éireann on matters affecting the whole of the 32 Counties of Ireland, he will say whether he will make available at the earliest possible date Government time for the consideration of motions Nos. 11 and 34 on the motion list for Private Deputies' Business standing in the name of Deputy Fitzpatrick and myself?
South Armagh Representative— Request for Right of Audience.
Perhaps, Sir, you will permit me to say in reference to the subject matter of these motions to which Deputy Lehane has referred that I know there are differences of opinion in every part of the House. At the same time, I believe that a number of Deputies, perhaps holding different views, are anxious that these two motions should be discussed and determined at the earliest possible date. The matters raised in these two motions are important and I feel, and I think my colleagues agree with me, that these matters should be discussed in a calm atmosphere, an atmosphere free from any heat, whatever the views may be, and that the subject matter of these motions should be approached solely with a view to determining whether or not the matters mentioned in these motions do or do not assist an early solution of the problem of Partition. We are anxious, accordingly, that the matter should be freely and calmly debated and, in order to secure that, the Government are prepared to arrange for time at the earliest possible date after Easter and to leave the matter to a free vote of the House.
May I thank the Taoiseach for the wise and statesmanlike course that the Government have taken.
It seems to me that only one motion can be discussed and you might consider taking the wider one, whichever that is. However, we can see about that later.
That can be considered later.
If there is to be a free vote, are we to assume that the Government have no policy on this matter?
You can assume nothing of the sort.