asked the Taoiseach if he will indicate what policy the Government have for dealing with Partition.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Partition Policy.
It is the intention of the Government to use to the best advantage every situation arising from time to time that is capable of being used towards the ending of Partition. In international affairs, the Government keep this purpose constantly in mind as our primary and fundamental national aim. We will endeavour to make known as widely as possible the facts of Partition—by what methods and for what purposes it was brought about and has been maintained and the evils and injustices that inevitably flow from it.
We will call, as in the past, on the help and support of men and women of our race in other countries, in seeking to convince the friendly nations of the world that the ending of Partition is a matter of concern to all who desire international peace and security and to convince the Government and people of Britain that the removal of this barrier to unreserved friendship between the peoples of the two islands will be to their advantage as well as to ours. We will also continue our efforts to convince those of our own people in the Six Counties who are at present opposed to national reunion that their true interests will best be served by their participation in the development of an integrated Irish nation.
In view of the admission by the Tánaiste that no Government policy exists in relation to Partition and in view also of the generally unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I propose with your permission to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
If the Deputy has it in mind to suggest that there has been any weakening of the national position in relation to Partition by reason of the change of Government, I think he should seriously reconsider the course he proposes to take.
The Deputy has no intention of doing so. The Deputy intends to expose the fact that Fianna Fáil is completely bereft of a policy in regard to Partition.
And Fine Gael is not!