asked the Taoiseach whether in view of the efforts of parliamentary representatives of British and Irish labour parties in highlighting religious discrimination in the Six Counties he will as a precondition to a meeting with Captain O'Neill require guarantees that measures will be introduced by the Six County unionist administration aimed at remedying the discrimination which exists in employment, housing and voting procedure.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Discrimination in Six Counties.
3.
My views on discrimination are well known. In my opinion it would not be wise to lay down the precondition suggested by the Deputy.
Is the Taoiseach aware that members of the society of Labour lawyers have been investigating conditions in the Six Counties? It would be regrettable surely if it were left to the good office of the British Government to see that discrimination is put an end to in that area. The Taoiseach will agree, I think, that he should not make it appear that the support of this Administration is behind the Unionist Administration in the Six Counties, and that is how it might appear since no progress apparently has been made in ending the existing discrimination since the meeting between the exTaoiseach, Deputy Lemass, and Captain O'Neill.
The Labour lawyers' investigation has not yet taken place, so far as I know. There was a brief mission of the CDU composed of members of the British Labour Party, which seeks to get evidence, in particular, of discrimination in Ulster. They will report back to their Prime Minister and to the Home Secretary. In the first Press conference I had on my appointment as Taoiseach, I stated publicly that I understood there was discrimination in the Six Counties, that I was glad steps had been taken by the Six County authorities in one respect, at least, to remove that discrimination—I was referring, in particular, to certain franchises in the general elections—and that I hoped this was only the beginning of the removal of all other discrimination in the North. I do not think it is necessary for me to add anything further at this stage.
Is the Taoiseach aware of 300,000 fewer people voting in that particular area in local elections? Is he aware that the meeting between Captain O'Neill and the exTaoiseach, Deputy Lemass, resulted in no progress in ending discrimination and that it looks as if this Government are, in fact, supporting the Unionist regime which does nothing to get rid of these grievances?
The purpose of the meeting between the Taoiseach and Captain O'Neill and between Ministers of the respective Governments subsequently was to explore areas of economic development and, as far as I am concerned, these conferences will continue.