In a period of a single week nine people—possibly more —have died by violence in the North. Even a child is dead, by accident, and this must give us a special sense of grief and of sympathy for the bereaved parents.
I have already expressed the Government's abhorrence of the activities of those who deliberately advocate or use force in the North for any political objective. In all the statements I have made in regard to the North and in all my activities on behalf of the Government, I have attempted to explain and to establish that the Irish people, with very few exceptions, are committed to a peaceful resolution of our divisions. The greatest contribution which I would urge in these days of change in the North is patience on the part of the minority and generosity on the part of the majority.
An extraordinary effort of will by the Stormont Government is required to reverse practices which were wrong and failed and which brought the community close to total destruction. The depth and extent of what needs to be done demands courage and compassion. Major Chichester-Clark's task towards this end, which needs to succeed, can be lightened by the support of all the elements of the Northern majority who must realise now that the stability and progress of the community depends on the participation of the minority in its affairs and in its economic wellbeing.
Patience, in addition to their own constructive gifts and talents, is the best contribution the minority can make at the present time. The errors of two generations cannot be corrected overnight. The important thing is that they are in course of correction and that there could be no question of a reversal of this progress. Senseless violence and destruction are the surest way of interrupting progress and benefit no part of the community either in the short or the long term. On all sides there must be forbearance.
In a community which is divided, as the North is, tolerance must be extended by each side to the other. The majority must take the lead in this as they control the organs of State. The authority of the State should not be used to offend the sensibilities of the minority much less to discriminate against them. Against the total background of Irish history needless impositions are humilitating and dangerous. The majority bear a special responsibility to avoid them.
Similarly the minority must refuse to be incited to actions contrary to their own interests by the provocations of people, not in authority, who threaten them and the peace with words—words which can be rendered impotent only by being ignored. They should equally refuse to respond to the provocations of agitators in their own midst whose peculiar view of the history of Ireland and its future gives no hope of peace and brotherhood among the Irish people.
I have never been anything but frank with our Northern brethren that reunification of our country is our purpose, reunification through peace, by promoting friendship, goodwill, co-operation and understanding so that mental barriers which are more powerful than physical borders will be broken down. We have engaged in co-operation with the Northern Administration in various economic fields in the past. I myself initiated and administered as Minister for Industry and Commerce the extension of tariff concessions to Northern Ireland firms. We are willing and anxious to seek out and promote other forms of practical co-operation.
The leading article of The Guardian today says that economic underprivilege and civil strife are twin problems. While we know that there are many difficulties other than economic underprivilege, we want to promote further economic co-operation—for example, we are willing to examine the possibility of co-operation in regional development in areas like Leitrim-Fermanagh that could promote the wellbeing of people on both sides of the border.
We are prepared to spare no effort to promote increased knowledge and understanding of each other among the Irish people and to work positively towards reconciliation in the North and in Ireland as a whole. May I express the hope that all our fellow-Irishmen in the North will reciprocate this spirit of goodwill and co-operation thereby bringing nearer the day when all of us in this island will live in peace and harmony.
