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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 30 Oct 1969

Vol. 241 No. 13

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sanctions Against South Africa.

34.

asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will state in view of a reply of 23rd October, 1969, if he is taking any steps to join the Afro-Asian states in inscribing the question of economic sanctions against the Republic of South Africa on the agenda of the Security Council; if he has taken any initiative to consult the other members of the United Nations on this topic; his views on increased collaboration with that State; and if the South African trade counsellor in the South African Embassy in London, a senior diplomat, gave prior notice of his visit to Ireland by informing the Department of his intention to visit this country.

35.

asked the Minister for External Affairs if in view of a reply of 23rd October, 1969, he is aware that a number of member States of the United Nations neither as wealthy nor as powerful as Ireland have unilaterally broken trading links with the Republic of South Africa as an expression of their abhorrence of the policies of the Republic; and that the unquestioned representative of the oppressed African people of South Africa, the African National Congress, has asked friendly governments to break trading links with South Africa since these are acts of collaboration with the racist Government; and if there are any proposals to impose sanctions against South Africa.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 35 together.

There is no precise information as to member States of the United Nations which have unilaterally broken trading links with South Africa. Economic sanctions to be effective would need to be observed by the major trading countries and they have not been prepared to adopt such sanctions. While that remains the position I feel we would not be justified in depriving our exporters and workers of the fruits of any opportunties in that market.

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