asked the Taoiseach whether he has reconsidered the Government's attitude towards the Government of the Six Counties; and whether any meetings or discussions are to be arranged in the near future between himself and the Prime Minister of the Six Counties or between any members of the Government and their counterparts in the Six County Government.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meetings with Six County Ministers.
4.
There is no change in the Government's attitude as indicated in my reply to a question put by the Deputy on the 4th March last.
No meetings or discussions are contemplated at the moment between any members of the Government and their counterparts in the Six Counties but I would hope that such meetings will take place from time to time as opportunities for co-operation on matters of common interest arise.
Does the Taoiseach not consider that, in view of recent events in the Six Counties, the general concern which is felt here at the trend of events should be made clear to the British Government?
The question refers to co-operation between Ministers on both sides of the Border.
It is related.
In view of the events of the weekend and the fact that it is the viewpoint of responsible leaders in the area that the use of the extra B Specials will only add to the dimensions of the problem, does the Taoiseach not agree that it is high time he saw the Six Counties Prime Minister or Mr. Wilson to ensure that these problems will not be enlarged by the use of the B Specials?
I would accept the contention that it might add to the problem, but again, before I would take any initiative of the nature suggested in the question, I want to make sure that it would have some useful effect. This is a matter into which I should not like to rush and I would suggest to Deputies opposite that, because of the present state of feelings, they should not press too hard at this stage. I am not in any way suggesting there is not an urgency about it.
The Taoiseach demonstrated that there is no urgency by what he has said here today.