asked the Minister for External Affairs whether in view of the recent statement by Mr. Schoeman, a South African Government Minister, that the limited boycott of South African goods was effective he will take steps to see that Ireland makes its practical contribution to further the campaign against apartheid by urging all traders to institute a boycott of South African goods now being imported.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Boycott of South African Goods.
17.
I have seen a newspaper report of the statement referred to in the first part of the Deputy's Question.
As the Secretary General of the United Nations has been in contact with the South African Government on the question of apartheid, and I understand will continue the talks in South Africa in the near future, it would be inappropriate for me to add anything to the reply I gave on this matter on the 7th April last.
Does the Minister not agree it would help the ending of apartheid in South Africa if we, in Ireland, lent our aid to what appears to be the most successful movement against apartheid, namely, the boycott movement?
I have dealt with the matter comprehensively several times and I do not intend to go into it again today.
I presume the Minister does not share the Taoiseach's view that the boycott movement was a futile gesture, as he once described it.