I gave notice today that I wished to raise this question on the Adjournment because I feel it is a matter which should have been discussed in the House at an earlier date than today. Due to the overloaded nature of the Order Paper and the fact that we have no readily devised machinery which can be put into operation in order that we can have a discussion on a matter of this sort, the only method of doing so, short of a debate on an Estimate or something of that sort, is the somewhat inadequate procedure of raising it on the Adjournment.
I am raising this matter on the Adjournment because of the general concern about the position particularly of Irish missionaries but also of some other Irish personnel in Nigeria. I believe at this stage—indeed, at any stage, but particularly at this stage— that the realistic approach to any consideration of the situation is to avoid giving way to emotions on a matter that has been and still may be an emotional one. The great contribution which Irish missionaries and teachers have made to the Nigerian people over many decades is a fact that must be taken into account in any consideration of this problem and emphasised by this country in discussing any aspect of the matter with the Nigerian Government.
It is true to say that Irish personnel assisted Nigeria to gain her independence. We rejoiced when Nigeria in common with a number of other African States, achieved independence. Over many decades Irish missionaries and teachers played a significant role in providing the means of education, the training, the leadership and the direction which in many cases, because of their efforts and their sacrifices, helped large numbers of persons subsequently to achieve prominent positions in Nigeria. Irish missionaries and teachers have played a very significant and constructive role in providing succour, assistance, knowledge and skills for the benefit of the Nigerian nation. It is right that that should be said and that it should be appreciated by the Nigerian authorities. However strongly the Nigerian Government may feel about individuals, they are not justified in taking penal action against missionaries generally.
I was pleased to hear the Minister, in the course of his replies to questions on the Order Paper today, say that out of a total of approximately 700 Irish missionaries 600 were free to carry out their missionary work without any hindrance or restriction from the Nigerian authorities. It is also a source of some satisfaction that, as a result of the representations made by our Embassy in Lagos and by the Minister and the officials in his Department, those who were imprisoned have been released and some have already returned home and others are free to do so. I think we are entitled to object to the fact that trials were undertaken and conducted without proper charges being preferred and without adequate opportunities being afforded to those against whom the charges were made to prepare a defence and be represented by someone legally qualified to do so.
The internal affairs of Nigeria—and this must be understood and accepted —are matters for the Nigerian Government itself. However strongly people in this country feel about the conflict which existed there, and about certain aspects of it, it is now over. In any event I have consistently expressed the view, and I believe it is the correct view, that the internal political affairs of Nigeria are no concern of this country. We have no more right to interfere in the internal affairs of Nigeria than Nigeria has to interfere in our internal affairs or for that matter the internal affairs of any other country. The position in which a number of missionaries were arraigned in some fashion before a court, without adequate opportunities to prepare a defence and without due notice, may be understandable in the aftermath of a war situation, but it can only be regarded—to put it at its mildest—as an unfriendly approach by a Government and by a people with which this country has close and friendly ties, and does not desire to have the situation otherwise. For that reason I believe the very strongest representations must continue to be made to the Nigerian Government in regard to the procedure adopted in these cases. I think it is right to express satisfaction about the efforts made by the Minister and his Department and the work done by our Ambassador and his staff in Lagos. It was a difficult situation, he was under constant demands there and naturally he felt anxiety on behalf of his staff at the trend of events and the sufferings and difficulties which Irish missionaries and others there had.
I believe that the country expects the Minister and the Government to make it absolutely clear, as I understand was done in the interview with the Nigerian Chargé d'Affaires and also in the representations made to the Nigerian Government, that this approach could not be looked on with anything but the strongest disfavour here. At the same time, I believe that the general concern that has been felt here is such that a clear and full statement on the whole situation is expected. It is for that reason, amongst others, that I raise this matter here tonight so that the Minister can give as full a picture as possible to the House and to the country of the position of Irish missionaries.
There is also the question of the aid sent from this country to provide relief and assistance for people in need. Our concern in this regard covers not only our own people, our missionaries and others, but also the people in the area formerly described as Biafra. The shortage of food in most of that area was to a great extent due to faulty distribution. The efforts which this country made through relief organisations, our representatives at the Red Cross headquarters at Geneva, Caritas and the other church aid and relief organisations, were designed to ensure that relief would be made available, and that the relief which was sent from this country in common with the other relief supplies from outside countries and estates, would reach its destination.
The tremendous contribution which was made by so many voluntary groups in this country and the humanitarian motives which inspired so many people, indeed which evoked probably one of the most remarkable responses to any appeal one can remember, arose from a genuine anxiety to ensure that aid and help and food and medical supplies were directed as rapidly as possible to the areas most in need and delivered as extensively as possible in that area. At the same time, the House and the country recognise the contribution which doctors and nurses and other medical and nursing personnel made in volunteering to go out there to render service and assistance.
All that indicated, and I believe that if necessary it should be restated to the Nigerian Government, that the people of this country are anxious to see peace restored in Nigeria and that they are anxious to make the maximum possible contribution in supplies and personnel and that, in return, the least we can expect is that the work and services of the missionaries and teachers and others who have laboured so zealously in conditions of the greatest hardship, not merely during the war but over decades, will be recognised and that the contribution they made and are still making will be recognised. Many of them who have returned home because of what happened have expressed their desire and willingness to return to Nigeria again if they are allowed to do so.
We should bring these facts before the authorities in Nigeria and make it plain that any individual action taken by certain persons there, while the subject of criticism or objection on the part of the Nigerian authorities, does not reflect the views or aims or objectives of the vast majority of the missionaries and that, in a war situation, faced as they were with the problems of the people they were serving, it was inevitable that people might take particular action in particular circumstances. The sole aim of all the missionaries who went out there was to serve the spiritual and other needs of the people of Nigeria. They were motivated solely by religious and missionary zeal and their desire was to serve these people. Their combined efforts and services were available for the welfare of the people there and their whole anxiety was to ensure that their services were made available to the widest possible extent wherever they were needed.
It is right and proper that we should bring these facts before the Nigerian authorities and express our concern at the action which was taken in certain cases. I believe we are entitled to some indication from the Nigerian authorities that the action that was taken in these cases can be regarded as exceptional and will not be repeated. I believe that the public here and the House expect the Minister to make as full a statement as possible on that matter at present and that, if the situation warrants it in the future, an opportunity will be taken in the Dáil, following the normal recognised procedure, to make whatever information the Minister has available to the public.
Part of the concern that has been felt in regard to this matter is because of the fact that, on a number of occasions, the channels of communication appeared to be defective and the relevant information which was regarded as the minimum was not made generally available either because it was not possible to vouch for it at the time or for some other reason. We should reemphasise to the Nigerian Government that the concern of the people of this country is to see peace restored in Nigeria and that we have nothing but friendly feelings for the Nigerian people, but that we are anxious to have the magnificent contribution made by Irish missionaries, not merely during the recent years and months, but over many decades adequately and properly recognised and that that contribution would receive from the Nigerian authorities the recognition which the work and services and sacrifices of our missionaries deserve.
