asked the Taoiseach if he has received any indication from the British Government suggesting direct rule in any form in the North of Ireland or any proposal to suspend the present Parliament there; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
2.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Northern Ireland Situation.
1.
andDr. Cruise-O'Brien asked the Taoiseach if he is aware of any decision to introduce direct Westminster rule in Northern Ireland; whether a suggestion of this nature was previously raised with him; and if he will state his attitude to any such development.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.
In so far as the Government's attitude is concerned I have made it clear on a number of occasions that the present system of Government in the North is inappropriate to the kind of society which exists there. We have called for a new form of administration which will need to be negotiated with the elected representatives of the non-unionist community.
I take it any proposal to introduce direct rule would be resisted by the Government?
We have not considered any such proposal, but I might remind the Deputy that in mid-August of this year, after detention without trial was brought into operation, I made a proposition publicly for the establishment of a commission. There would be an element of direct rule in that in so far as the British Government would be the authority to set up such a commission. The establishment of the commission is something to which, I think, many of the minority elected representatives contributed.
I take it that, having taken 700 years to get the British out of Ireland, there would be no agreement to any proposal which would involve direct rule from Westminster?
We do not want another Act of Union.
Would the Taoiseach agree that the establishment of an administration in Northern Ireland based on a genuine partnership between the non-Unionists and the Unionists is the prime objective of this Government on Northern Ireland at present and would the Taoiseach give an opinion as to whether or not he is satisfied this is also the prime objective of present British policy?
I cannot say what the prime objective of present British policy is but, as far as we are concerned, our prime objective is to give the nationalist minority an effective say in the administration of the northern territory in order to bring an end to the type of administration that now exists there.
Has there been any proposal from the British that a commission should be established?
I have received no proposal.
Would the Taoiseach state whether he would give his consent to any system agreed to which would meet with the goodwill of the majority and the consent of the minority and to what extent he would give his consent?
That is a rather hypothetical question.
It is a very deep one.
As to what extent my consent would be required is one matter but, if my consent were involved, I would want to see very precisely what terms would be involved in any such arrangement.
If the Taoiseach were satisfied that the majority in the North were prepared to accord their goodwill to such a system and the minority were prepared to give their consent, would the Taoiseach then ensure conditions this side of the Border would be such as to allow such a programme to exist and operate in the North of Ireland?
It is basic to our policy to promote goodwill between the two communities in the North and any evolution in that direction would certainly have our support.