asked the Minister for External Affairs if the Government supports the application by the Governments of Denmark, Norway and Sweden lodged with the European Commission of Human Rights on 29th May last against the Government of Greece alleging violations of the articles of the European Convention of Human Rights prohibiting torture and inhuman treatment and recognising the right to a fair trial by an independent and impartial tribunal; and what action the Government proposes to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - European Convention of Human Rights.
23.
I assume that the Deputy refers to the application lodged on 10th April, 1970 and considered by the European Commission of Human Rights at its session which ended on 29th May, 1970.
The question of what action should be taken by the Government in this matter will not arise unless and until the Report of the Commission comes to be considered by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe under Article 32 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Is it not open to the Government to indicate their support for the application already made without awaiting the outcome of the commission's findings? It is open to the Government to join with the other countries in the presentation of complaints.
One of the decisions taken by the commission was to invite each government to submit their observations and until this matter has been resolved I think it would be premature for our Government to make any stand on the matter. We will take the right stand at the right time.
(Interruptions.)
Is Mr. MacEntee still controlling you in this matter?
That is a separate matter.
He certainly still has a great influence on Fianna Fáil.
The Minister is embarrassed. I never thought I would see the day.