asked the Taoiseach if representations were made by him to Captain O'Neill about the recent police action in Derry.
6.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Derry Police Action.
5.
asked the Taoiseach whether there have been representations made to the British Government on the situation in the Six Counties; and whether he will discuss the position with Mr. Wilson later this month.
7.
asked the Taoiseach if representations were made by him to the British Prime Minister about the recent police action in Derry.
: I propose with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 4, 5, 6 and 7 together.
No arrangements have been made for a meeting with Captain O'Neill and myself although I would hope that the practice of periodic meetings initiated four years ago will be continued.
No representations have been made to Captain O'Neill as he is aware of my views from a public statement made following the recent incidents in Derry.
I propose to call on the British Prime Minister during my visit to London next week and to restate my views as to the root causes of the Derry disturbances.
: Does the Taoiseach consider it advisable, at this time, to insist on conditions for further talks with Captain O'Neill and that these conditions would be that there should be some progress in electoral reform in that area and an easement in discrimination in regard to housing, and so on, there? Does the Taoiseach think it advisable, at this time, that these conditions be understood before any talks take place with Captain O'Neill? Further, will the Taoiseach point out these matters to Mr. Wilson, the British Premier, when next he meets him?
(Cavan): Surely the Taoiseach is not in a position to lecture Captain O'Neill or anybody else?
: No arrangement has been made for a meeting between Captain O'Neill and myself. Until such a meeting will take place, there will be no question of conditions.
(Interruptions.)
: Who is the boss?
: Who will have the initiative for the next meeting — Captain O'Neill or the Taoiseach?
(Interruptions.)
: You forget about the Labour Party now. I thought you two fellows would have resigned by now.
: Why do you not emigrate?
: I am surprised to see them on the front bench at all.
: You got your answer last week.
: Even the Taoiseach himself will have to go.
: Here is an applicant for a vacant seat.
: The new Taoiseach.
: Will the Taoiseach remind the Labour Party that it was the Republic of Ireland Act that gave Britain's Labour Government the opportunity to amend the Government of Ireland Act and make the position of the Six-County Government more secure——
: Resign.
: Is what Deputy MacEntee has said a question?
: ——and that for this Fine Gael and——
(Interruptions.)
: ——the Irish Labour Party in the inter-Party Government were responsible.
(Interruptions.)
: Mind they do not fix you.
: You are fixed now, anyway.
: Dr. O'Connell.
: Will the Taoiseach state if he made representations to Mr. Wilson about the riots in Derry? He did not answer that.
: I am seeing him next week.
: Will the Taoiseach tell him that we in this country do not believe in the straight vote? Tell him to change his mind and that the electoral system we have here in the Twenty-six Counties should be adopted by them in the North of Ireland. We gave them their answer last Wednesday.
(Interruptions.)
: I challenge you. You are still going.
: It is a strange state of affairs at least that——
: Question No. 8.
: I want to refer to the reply preceding Question No. 8.