A Private Notice Question addressed to the Minister for External Affairs by Deputy Desmond for answer today has been postponed. Order of Business.
Private Notice Question. - Release of Northern MP.
Sir, when was the Chair notified of the postponement?
In view of the——
I should just like to know. May I have an answer to my question, Sir?
Just now.
Is that the way to treat the Chair or the person who prepared an answer?
(Interruptions.)
It arose purely in view of the absence of the Minister for External Affairs. In deference to the request made by the Taoiseach in the course of an earlier reply I did not wish, pending the report of the Minister for External Affairs on the outcome of his visit to London, to raise this matter at this point of time.
I will answer the question right away. There is nothing to add to what has been said already.
Does the Deputy wish to have the question answered?
Yes. Certainly.
asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will as a matter of urgent public importance, conducive to peace in Northern Ireland, make immediate representations to the British Home Office for the release of Miss Bernadette Devlin, MP, from Armagh jail.
This question was tabled on Monday morning.
And withdrawn a minute ago. The Government's views on the possible consequences of the arrest of Miss Devlin were made known to the British authorities before her imprisonment, and this matter was also the subject of discussions yesterday between the Minister for External Affairs and Sir Alec Douglas-Home.
Could the Taoiseach say what was the response to the representations made to Sir Alec Douglas-Home?
A meeting took place in an harmonious atmosphere. I am not at liberty to disclose the details of what was discussed.
I am sure the meeting was in an harmonious atmosphere but can the Taoiseach give us any hope of headway being made in the representations made to the British Government about this imprisonment?
I can give no indication at this stage.
I can tell the Taoiseach that we will have a debate with him on this whole matter very soon, whatever Deputy Boland or anybody else does.
(Interruptions.)
Will the Taoiseach not agree that the imprisonment of Miss Devlin was an act of vengeance exacted by the Stormont Government to placate Orange extremists——
That is a separate question.
——and in the circumstances would he not be representing the wishes of all Irishmen the world over if he made a demand for her immediate release?
The Deputy is free to express himself as he wishes. He cannot put words into my mouth.