asked the Minister for External Affairs whether he has been in contact with the Irish Ambassador in London following the Ambassador's meeting with British Foreign Office officials; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
11.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meeting with British Government Representatives.
10.
asked the Minister for External Affairs if the Irish Ambassador has been recently in touch with the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office; if he will inform the House of the matters discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
12.
asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will make a statement concerning the meeting between the Irish Ambassador and the British Permanent Secretary in London on 20th May, 1970 on the presence of Irish Army intelligence officers in Northern Ireland.
13.
asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will make a full statement on the discussions between the Irish Ambassador to Britain and a representative of the British Government regarding the presence of Irish Army intelligence officers in the north; at whose request the meeting was called; and whether the British Government made any specific requests to the Irish Government in relation to Irish Army intelligence officers being in the Six Counties.
14.
asked the Minister for External Affairs if any protest has been made by the Stormont or British Governments in relation to the Taoiseach's statement in Dáil Éireann on 14th May, 1970 on the presence of Irish Army personnel in the north; and, if so, the nature of the protest and the reply thereto.
15.
asked the Minister for External Affairs whether an undertaking was asked for that the Irish Army intelligence service would not in future involve themselves in the affairs of the Six Counties; and what reply was given to any such request.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 to 15 together.
The Ambassador was invited to call on the Deputy Under Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 20th May in connection with another matter. At the conclusion of the discussion on that matter, it was conveyed to him that the presence of an Army officer in the north had caused some embarrassment to the authorities there. The Ambassador was asked to convey this to me. There was no question of a diplomatic protest being made.
Was there any discussion at that meeting on the general position in the north? Were any arrangements made for the Minister to attend any meetings later this summer in this connection?
The matter about which the Ambassador attended the Foreign Office was in relation to business I intended to do with the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whom, when I went to London, I was unable to meet. As regards the point to which the Deputy referred and which I have answered, there may have been something more in the conversation, which I do not know——
Will there be a series of talks going on in relation to the northern position at Foreign Office level?
I think it will be known in the House from what I have said here that I have on many occasions had discussions in London on matters of this nature. In fact, any time I have had any business with the British Government I have raised the question of the north.
There will, in fact, be regular discussions throughout this summer at ministerial level with the Foreign Office?
I cannot speak for the other side but, as far as I am concerned, I shall seek to have our point of view and the point of view of those who seek our assistance in expressing their point of view brought to the notice of the British Government.
Would the Minister indicate for the information of the House the nature of the reply furnished by him or on his behalf to the British Government arising out of their representations in connection with the presence of Irish Army officers in Northern Ireland?
The Deputy should be aware that nothing was said on the British side which would require a reply from me.
Come, come.
All I can do is tell the Deputy. If he does not believe it that is his problem.