asked the Minister for External Affairs if the Government will now recognise the Government of Biafra.
15.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Biafra-Nigeria Conflict.
14.
asked the Minister for External Affairs what steps the Government have taken, or intend to take, to endeavour to bring about a cease fire in the Nigeria-Biafra conflict.
16.
asked the Minister for External Affairs if further consideration has been given to the question of providing additional relief supplies for Nigeria and Biafra; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
17.
asked the Minister for External Affairs whether, in view of the fact that the besieged state of Biafra has now existed for two years, he will recommend recognition of that State and a rendering of all possible aid to it by this country to ensure its continued existence.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 15, 16 and 17 together.
On the question of relief, I would refer the Deputy to my reply on 4th December 1968 in which I gave details regarding the Government's pledged contributions of £100,000 for the relief of the victims of the Nigerian conflict particularly in the distressed eastern and south-eastern districts and of £25,000 for the Cumann Croise Deirge medical teams for Nigeria.
Since my statement on that occasion Cumann Croise Deirge na hÉireann has sent further relief supplies to Lagos for distribution in the distressed areas under Federal control and relief supplies to Fernando Po for despatch to the secessionist area. As the Deputy is, I am sure, aware, the International Committee of the Red Cross had to suspend its relief flights from Fernando Po but I am glad to say that arrangements have now been made for the Red Cross relief flights to use Cotonou as a base through the co-operation of the Government of Dahomey. Cumann Croise Deirge is at present assembling further relief supplies for despatch to the secessionist area.
The present position is that of the Government's contribution of £100,000, there remains an unexpended balance of approximately £11,000. Cumann Croise Deirge has, of course, also sent additional supplies financed out of generous public contributions. Similarly large supplies of food and medicines are being sent through Caritas, purchased out of funds generously subscribed by the Irish people.
As regards medical teams, Cumann Croise Deirge has not yet found it necessary to call on the Government for any of the pledged contribution of £25,000. The Cumann Croise Deirge medical team in Uyo Province is continuing at present to perform valuable services in a most exemplary manner in an area where there is a particularly grave shortage of doctors. If Cumann Croise Deirge receives a request for Irish doctors, either in Uyo or elsewhere, I hope that they will be able to meet it. Cumann Croise Deirge will be able to call on the Government's pledged contribution of up to £25,000 for any such team as and when it is required. I am sure that they will also continue to be supported generously by the public.
Recent reports indicate that the condition of the people — particularly the children — in the war-torn areas shows a certain overall improvement, although the halt in the Red Cross flights has had an adverse effect temporarily on conditions in the secessionist area. For a recent description of conditions in the Federally controlled areas, I would refer Deputies to the fourth interim report of the United Nations Secretary General on Humanitarian Activities in Nigeria, copies of which have been placed in the Dáil library.
The International Red Cross relief operation is, of course, only one of the many ways in which the Irish people are helping to bring food and medical care to the distressed areas. In particular our missionaries — Catholic, Methodist and Church Missionary Society — are giving dedicated service on both sides of the conflict and their heroic efforts under the most difficult and dangerous conditions are being assisted by the great generosity of the Irish people here at home.
As regards the question of a peace settlement, I have stated the Government's policy on this question on many occasions, most recently in my replies of 23rd October, 27th November and 10th December, 1968. Since then we have continued our efforts to promote an agreed settlement in the best interests of all the people of Nigeria, but as Deputies are aware the many attempts to find a mutually acceptable basis including in particular those made by the Organisation of African Unity have unfortunately so far produced no results. We shall, of course, continue to do everything we can to help secure stable peace in Nigeria and to co-operate in bringing relief to the victims of hunger and disease and in the work of reconstruction. In regard to recognition there has been no change in the Government's policy.
Could the Minister indicate to the House why this country cannot participate directly at political level in an attempt to secure a ceasefire in Biafra? The long, garbled reply which he has given the House boils down to the fact that the Irish Government, who have an opportunity of doing something in Biafra and Nigeria, have done nothing since the Minister last answered a question here.
As the Deputy is perfectly well aware, even before the war started we appealed to the parties concerned not to start it. Since it commenced, we have done everything that a small country could do to try to conciliate the differences between them and to urge them in the interests of the people of Biafra and Nigeria to make a stable peace.
Has our Embassy in Lagos been involved in any consultations?
Our Embassy in Lagos is in constant contact with the Nigerian Government.
Could the Minister tell me why this country cannot participate at political level in an attempt to arrive at a settlement? Other countries have tried and have failed. Ireland is in an extraordinarily advantageous position. Will the Minister tell us why he will not do anything?
We are participating at a political level——
What have you done?
——but we are not participating in the negotiations for peace.
Why not?
That is being done more effectively, I think, than by any other type of intermediary, by the Organisation of African Unity. They have had this under review and they are in constant contact with both sides. Not only that but some of the bigger countries are trying to bring about peace.
We are the very country to do it and we have done nothing.