asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will make a statement on the matters discussed by him with the British Foreign Secretary on 29th June last.
13.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Northern Situation.
12.
asked the Minister for External Affairs whether there have been any consultations between representatives of the Irish and British Governments since the visit to Northern Ireland on 30th June last of the British Home Secretary; if so, what matters were raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
14.
asked the Minister for External Affairs whether he or his Department has made or will make any report, representations or request to the United Nations Organisation arising out of events in Northern Ireland since 25th June last; and, if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 13 and 14 together.
I had a conversation with the British Foreign Secretary in relation to the situation in the north. I expressed the Government's views to him on current events and the Foreign Secretary fully understands the Government's concern. There have been and continue to be regular communications, through diplomatic channels, between the two Governments. It is not intended, at present, to raise the matter with the United Nations Organisation but our permanent representative to the United Nations is kept fully informed of the situation.
Can the Minister say whether the British Foreign Secretary gave any indication of the action the British Government would take, particularly with reference to the request that offensive political parades be banned for some time to come?
That matter does not arise on this question. It will arise later on the Private Notice question.
With respect, I have asked the Minister to state the matters discussed with the British Foreign Secretary. That was one of the matters the Minister discussed and I am asking him now if he will state the attitude of the British Government in the matter. Is the Minister aware that of some 50 members of the British Parliament I interviewed recently not one was in favour of these parades and can the Minister say why it is the British Government will not act in this matter?
That does not arise on this question. I have already pointed that out. It arises later on other questions.
I think the British Parliament may be at this moment discussing the subject——
That is more than we are doing.
——but I am not responsible for what is said there. My meeting was to set out our views as Irish people of the effect of various events in the north and I think I did make it clear that the British Foreign Secretary intended to pass this information on. At that time I was not in a position to seek from him assurances and neither was he in a position to give any assurances. I have further meetings arranged. The position of our Government in relation to parades and other events in the north has been made quite clear to the British Government.
Can the Minister say whether, in fact, events in the Falls Road over the weekend give sufficient reason to refer to the attitude of the military involved in the illegal curfew and whether these actions are not fit material for reference to the United Nations?
That matter does not arise on this question. It arises on the Private Notice question.
I think it arises and I am interested in the Minister's attitude on the matter.
I do not think it would be of any benefit to the case, not to the people concerned, to respond at every moment to what we might say or what we might do. I can assure the Dáil the Government are constantly considering the steps that might be taken in every situation that develops.
As distinct from the information conveyed by the Government to the permanent representative at the United Nations, has our permanent representative since the events of 25th June informed the Secretary General of the United Nations of the situation in Northern Ireland?
I have not an answer from the permanent representative about his meetings with the Secretary General, but constantly, since last autumn, the permanent representative has been fully informed of events and the Government's reaction and it is up to him to take whatever action he thinks proper.
Would the Minister say whether he has asked the British Government to consent to the presence of a United Nations observer in the north? Would the Minister also say whether the Government have instructed the permanent representative to take steps to draw the attention of the United Nations Organisation to the failure of the authorities in the north to observe the universal declaration of human rights?
I think the House will be aware of my own efforts to bring these matters to the attention of the United Nations Organisation. The further steps, as I said before, to be taken by the Government will be taken after full deliberation in a manner we think fit and appropriate and likely to bring useful results.
I have no doubt the Minister for External Affairs insisted strongly to the British Home Secretary the undesirability of holding parades particularly the ones that are to come up in the next ten days or so. Could I ask the Minister if the British Home Secretary expressed any opinion in regard to the holding of those parades?
The question of parades arises in a Private Notice question.
We are discussing here the meeting between the Minister for External Affairs and the British Home Secretary.
Plus the whole situation on those particular questions.
I did not meet the British Home Secretary. I met the British Foreign Secretary——
I beg your pardon, the British Foreign Secretary.
——who is the appropriate member of the Government to meet the Minister for External Affairs of another country. I communicated to him, so that he would communicate to his Government, our views. Even if he had expressed private views I think it would be decidedly inappropriate to publish them. While I appreciate the House is concerned with an easy and quick response to our representations, it will have to accept that we are dealing as a Government with another foreign sovereign Government.
I trust when the Minister goes across to London tomorrow he will reiterate his views and the Government's views in regard to the holding of parades.
The question of parades will come up in a later question.
The Minister, like myself, has had the opportunity of examining this at first hand, and would he agree that, casting a pretty ominous shadow over the whole situation, is the fact that there appears to be a change in the disposition of the military consequent on a change in the civilian approach to the whole operation in the north, that the new Government in London appear to have a totally different policy in relation to the form and the general approach to the north from that which the previous Government had? Would the Minister agree that this change of approach must necessitate very shortly reference to the United Nations?
I think every responsible Member of the House will appreciate that the easy exchange of opinions across the floor may not help the situation. The policy of the Government has been not to exacerbate an already very tense situation. I agree it has been a factor in recent events that people feel they may not be treated with the full sympathy required by their situation. I have already publicly stated that it would be very desirable, and actually essential, that it be proved to the minority in the north now that what Deputy O'Leary suggests and what they fear is not true, that they should have the assurances quickly and fully that they will have all the reforms promised and all the protection necessary.
The Minister is doing a very good job.