asked the Minister for External Affairs what action was taken on the protest presented to the Irish Embassy in Washington by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Organisation regarding the recent criticism by Mr. Conor Cruise O'Brien of American policy in Vietnam.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - American Policy in Vietnam.
19.
No such protest has been received by the Embassy at Washington but, even if one were received, the Deputy will appreciate that the Government could not take any responsibility for the opinions of private citizens.
I think the Taoiseach has seen the protest reporting the facts presented by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Organisation of the United States to the Irish Embassy in Washington. May we take it that the person in question is in possession of an Irish passport and that such people in possession of an Irish passport are an embarrassment to the Irish Government?
I have made inquiries and I have found that no protest was received. I repeat that the Government, or the Department of External Affairs, could take no responsibility for opinions expressed by private people abroad.