asked the Minister for External Affairs whether he received any replies to his recent communication to various governments deploring the imprisonment of two Roman Catholic bishops by the Chinese Government; and if he will state their nature.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Imprisonment of Bishops by Chinese Government.
12.
I regret that I cannot furnish the Deputy with the information he desires because, as a matter of international courtesy and usage, it is not the practice to divulge diplomatic correspondence except by agreement between the parties.
Would it not be as well for the Minister to make a statement about this now, or is the Minister prepared to make a statement about it in view of the fact that many people in this country are under the impression that he is on friendly terms with the Government of Communist China?
Including the Deputy.
That is not a Supplementary Question.
The Deputy should grow up and have a bit of sense.
It is a pity the Minister will not grow up when he is going into the Lobbies with all the Communists over there. Then he went in to vote against them a few weeks later, backing up the Dalai Lama.