asked the Taoiseach if he is aware that his recent statement to the United Nations Correspondents Association that we are not going to be a "sore thumb" and that we are not going to raise Partition at every possible opportunity, appears to be in conflict with his reply to a parliamentary question on 1st December, 1948, concerning our application for admission to the U.N.O., where he stated that the Government would miss no opportunity of seeking to undo the unnatural division of our country; and, if so, if he will make a statement clarifying the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Statement of Partition and Membership of U.N.O.
There is, in my view, no conflict between the statements made by me on the two occasions to which the Deputy refers.
The Government are now, as they always have been, determined to miss no opportunity of seeking to undo the unnatural division of our country, but this does not mean that our purpose would be advanced by raising the issue at inopportune times or on inappropriate occasions or by giving the impression that we are blind to all issues of international policy save that of Partition alone.
Throughout the course of my recent visit to the United States of America, I found a keen and widespread interest in our membership of the United Nations and in the part which we intend to play in the proceedings of that body. I was greatly encouraged by what seemed to be the universal view, among those with whom I came in contact, that Ireland's influence as a member of the United Nations may be far from negligible and is capable of being genuinely effective for good.
I have no doubt that, by making as useful a contribution as we can to the proceedings generally of the United Nations, we will best enhance the national prestige and serve the cause of national reunion.
Would the Taoiseach have any objection to making available a copy of his statement to the United Nations Correspondents Association at a luncheon?
I would have no objection, subject to this, that I made a speech at the outset, the script of which is readily available——
I do not want the Taoiseach to misunderstand me. I know how unreliable Press reports are at times.
I quite understand but what I am saying is that that script is available and the Deputy can have a copy of it. I hope that the scripts of all the speeches I have made will be available shortly. I was asked a number of questions all around the tables from various people who were present at that meeting and I answered them, of course, impromptu. I have no record of any of these answers or even of the questions. I have a fair recollection and those who were with me could check them.