asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will set out in the form of a tabular statement for the benefit of citizens the advantages and liabilities which would accrue to this country if it were now to be elected to the U.N.O.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Membership of U.N.O.
The Deputy will recall that the advantages and liabilities of membership of the U.N.O. were discussed at length on 24th and 25th July, 1946, in this House and that Dáil Éireann passed a resolution on the latter date recommending the Government to take steps with a view to securing Ireland's admission to membership.
If Ireland were now to become a member of the U.N.O., the same considerations would in general apply. They do not lend themselves to statement in tabular form.
There have been many changes in the world since 1946.
In view of the very many changes since 1946 is it not right that the people of this country should know of any possible advantages or commitments that the Government may be prepared to sign in the name of the people of this country, and why should they be just told that they are expected to remember something that was brought to their notice in 1946?
I cannot undertake to set out in tabular form the various advantages and disadvantages that belong to the U.N.O. It is an intricate and broad political matter.It was fully discussed in the Dáil on the dates I have referred to and a decision was taken, and anybody who is really interested in the matter, if he wants to see its advantages and disadvantages, would have to read something corresponding to the speeches which were made on the various sides of the House on that occasion, on which, after all, the Dáil came to a unanimous decision to go ahead.
Is it fair to ask the ordinary people of this country, who might not have the time, to go through the many important debates of 1946, and would it not be possible to get in some brief form an outline of the responsibilities and advantages to these ordinary people who make up the bulk of the people of this country?
It would not be possible to give it in brief form.