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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 May 1961

Vol. 189 No. 4

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Membership of NATO.

9.

andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for External Affairs whether the Government's decision that Ireland could take part in no military association or alliance such as NATO while Ireland was militarily occupied by one of the participants in the NATO agreement still stands.

The decision not to join NATO was taken in 1949 by the then Government and the present Government has never considered altering that decision.

Irrespective of the question of partition, important as that is, in our view the most important contribution which Ireland can make in international affairs is to play its part as an independent nation, free from alliances, in reducing tensions between States, and in forwarding constructive solutions for the sources of such tensions. We have endeavoured to do so, in the U.N. and elsewhere, by, for example, proposals aimed at restricting the spread of nuclear weapons and at encouraging the growth of areas of law. It is because our position is now internationally understood and accepted that we were free to make such proposals and that we were able to make our contribution to world peace by sending our soldiers to the United Nations Observation Force in the Lebanon in 1958 and last year to the Congo where combat troops of nations belonging to NATO and other military blocs are not acceptable.

Could I ask the Minister if he has seen the statement attributed to Dr. Erhart in which he says that membership of the Common Market implies membership of NATO?

That is a separate question.

It will save my asking it next week.

Is it the position now that partition is only a minor issue as far as Fianna Fáil is concerned?

What the Deputy says is not true.

It is not a red herring. Surely the Government, which is helping to relieve tension all over the world, has a duty to see that tension is relieved in the Six Counties as well. Will the Government make a clear statement that they do not intend to join NATO while the Six Counties are occupied by a member of NATO?

The Deputy is making a statement.

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