asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the Government's attitude to a proposed European security conference; and whether reports that he has expressed doubts about possible Irish participation in such a conference are correct.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - European Security Conference.
9.
The Government's attitude to a conference on European security has been stated on several occasions in the Dáil and most recently on 16th December, 1970, in reply to a question from Deputy FitzGerald. It has not changed since that date.
Does the Minister not agree there is considerable concern at the views expressed by him or reported as having been expressed by him in recent weeks on this subject which suggest that this Government is not prepared or may not be prepared to participate in the work of achieving a détente in Europe because of a particular position in relation to Northern Ireland which arises from the internal affairs of his party? Could he not take a broader view than that and would he not accept that we could participate in the European security conference designed to ensure security in Europe, a reduction in armaments in Europe and the demilitarisation of Europe as far as possible, without having to commit ourselves in regard to Northern Ireland?
I do not think it arises. In fact, I did not say anything in answer to the question I got that I did not state to Deputy Garret FitzGerald before. I said that the Government's attitude was that the conference should be well prepared and so on and then added that we could not accept a pre-condition which required us to accept the immutability of present boundaries. This was originally a pre-condition of the Warsaw Pact or the Russian approach. This pre-condition has been waived in an announcement from the Warsaw Pact countries and the President of Rumania. Since there is no pre-condition now the point raised by the Deputy does not arise.
Why is the Minister making such a fuss about it?
I was asked a question and, as I have always done, I have answered it fully. I made no fuss. It is the Deputy made the fuss.
There is no problem now? We are prepared to participate?
When there was a pre-condition we could not, but there is no such pre-condition now. I gave a full answer to the Deputy and there is no change since that answer.