asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will place the facts of the (1) election, (2) arrest and (3) trial of Mr. Liam Kelly, M.P., before the Council of Europe for debate at its next sitting and request that a resolution of protest be passed by the council.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Trial of Mr. Liam Kelly, M.P.
In order to secure the inclusion of a resolution on the Agenda of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe, it must have been supported in one of three ways—(1) received the unanimous support of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe; or (2) proposed by ten representatives of the Consultative Assembly and received the assent of two-thirds of the standing committee in the interval between assembly meetings; or (3) approved by a two-thirds vote of the assembly in session.
In the circumstances, I am sure that even if it were considered wise to attempt it, I could not succeed in placing the matter on the agenda of the Consultative Assembly through the only means open to me as a member of the committee of ministers, i.e., by the unanimous consent of the committee of ministers.
Will the Minister undertake to endeavour to solicit the support of other sympathetic delegates with a view to having this matterplaced on the agenda for immediate discussion and protest?
I take it the Deputy speaks for his Party on this matter and his Party have a representative.
Does the Minister not think that the Government should give a lead in this matter?
If the Deputy speaks for his Party, as I take it he does——
It is a good job the Minister cannot always be taken as speaking for his Party.
Is it not a fact that Deputy Mulcahy and some of his associates are the people responsible for Partition?