Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Mar 1968

Vol. 233 No. 9

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Nigerian Dispute.

1.

asked the Minister for External Affairs whether he will consider sending an Irish fact-finding mission to Nigeria which will meet both sides in the present armed dispute.

There is no necessity to despatch a fact-finding mission as the Deputy's question suggests. I am already only too well aware of the essential facts and sad consequences of the civil war in Nigeria.

Does the Minister think that this country has anything to contribute, as a result of Irish nationals living in all parts of that country, by way of mediation in the present dispute? Since peace is the desired end, does the Minister think that we have anything to contribute by mediation as a result of the influence we have in that country?

Any influence that we have is being used and has been used and was used even before the civil war broke out in order to try to get a peaceful settlement.

Does the Minister think the situation is so serious that this country should use the undoubted goodwill that we have and the position we have in that country, in bringing peace? Surely, it should be possible, by offering our disinterested services to make a contribution, by mediation, to the cause of peace in that country?

There is no one in Nigeria who has any doubt as to our attitude on this disastrous conflict. They know that we are very anxious that there should be a cease-fire as quickly as possible and that negotiations should be entered into with a view to a lasting and stable peace that would uphold the rights of all the people of Nigeria.

Top
Share