asked the Minister for External Affairs whether any protest was made to the British Foreign Secretary or to Manchester Corporation in respect of that corporation's refusal to allow a meeting of the Irish Civil Rights Movement in the corporation's Hall.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Civil Rights Movement.
39.
The Corporation of Manchester would appear to have acted within their legal rights in this matter and sufficient basis for a protest does not accordingly exist.
The Irish Civil Rights Movement is a worthy responsible movement endeavouring to gain recognition for fundamental human rights in the North of Ireland. Would the Minister not consider expressing his disapproval of the action of a corporation in a British city who refused to accommodate that movement in the expression of its rights?
I agree this is a worthwhile movement, but it would not be appropriate for a Government to make a protest to a municipal body. The Government would have to make a protest to the British Government, and this would be a very serious thing for the Government to have to do. We would, in fact, only be able to do this if the British Government had acted outside its rights in the situation.