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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 8 Feb 1967

Vol. 226 No. 6

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - North-South Relations.

5.

asked the Taoiseach if he has any comment to make on the recent statement by Mr. Wilson, the British Premier, at the Council of Europe Assembly; if in the interests of Irish unity he proposes to encourage to a greater extent than at present improved relations between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland; and if he has any statement to make on the question of Irish unity.

I was very pleased to read the recent statement by the British Prime Minister, Mr. Wilson, at the Council of Europe Assembly. In the course of his remarks on Irish unity, Mr. Wilson said:

I know, just as my predecessors, that no one would be happier than Great Britain if this problem is solved by agreement within the Emerald Isle. I am sure that I am speaking for everyone in expressing the hope that over the next few years we shall see an intensification of the process of coming together which has begun during the last three or four years.

and later he indicated that he believed it to be:

the real duty of all those in Northern and southern Ireland without propaganda and with a genuine desire to solve the problems to get together and solve the Irish problem so that we can all express our warm blessing to them for solving it.

I think that these are sentiments of which we all warmly approve.

Would it not now be desirable, in view of the expressed opinion of Mr. Wilson, that a conference should be called, and the Taoiseach should undertake convening the conference, between himself and Mr. Wilson and Captain O'Neill so that the question of Irish unity can be dealt with in the presence of the Prime Minister of Britain, so that if any difficulties arise they can be ironed out?

The Deputy can rest assured that whatever course which appears to be most fruitful will be adopted by the Government.

Does it not appear from Mr. Wilson's reply to Deputy Dunne that he disclaims responsibility for Partition and will the Taoiseach say that he will take the matter up with Mr. Wilson when next they meet?

The existence of certain statutes on the British Statute Book is a fact and the question of responsibility does not arise.

Surely the Taoiseach is aware of the fact that Mr. Wilson has a responsibility and a very grave responsibility, and his attention should be directed to that responsibility?

He knows his responsibility.

In view of the manifest earnestness of the British Prime Minister in endeavouring to see the matter settled satisfactorily, would the Taoiseach draw his attention to the fact that the present division of the country could not continue without British support? Will the Taoiseach give us an assurance that in his continued contacts with the British Prime Minister, he will lose no opportunity of continuing to remind him of the salient fact that this matter is primarily a British responsibility?

I can promise to remind him of every appropriate salient fact on the question at issue.

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