asked the Taoiseach whether he is aware that a very serious charge of planned discrimination has been made against the Authorities in the Six Counties to the British Government and Opposition Parties; whether the Government here are satisfied that such planned discrimination does in fact obtain in the six occupied counties; and, if so, what action they propose to take about it.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Discrimination in Six Counties.
5.
I am aware of the serious charge referred to by the Deputy. I do not think that it can be questioned that discrimination of the kind referred to exists. The Government have expressed in public our view about this situation and we have also made representations, when appropriate, to the British Government. As long as such discrimination continues, we shall continue to press for its termination by every means open to us.
Would the Taoiseach say when the Government last made representations to the British Government on this matter?
The Deputy had better give notice of that question. From memory, I should say it was in connection with the enactment of the Northern Ireland Bill last year by the British Parliament.
Is it intended that the Government will now make further representations to both the Opposition Parties and the Government in Britain in the near future?
I am not prepared to answer that question.
I have asked the Taoiseach what steps the Government propose to take about the matter. Have the Government recently considered bringing this matter to the notice of the United Nations?
No.
Could I get a reply to that, Sir?
I said no.
Has the Taoiseach or the Government given any consideration whatever to the fact that people in Ireland are puzzled in regard to Ireland's attitude in the United Nations, which is, to help all other countries while at the same time no action is being taken by the Government or their representatives to bring to the attention of the nations there the discrimination the Taoiseach has referred to here——
This is an enlargement.
——and no step is taken to enlist the support of other nations to end this discrimination and what both the Taoiseach and his predecessor have described as intolerance and bigotry?
Question No. 6.
No answer?