asked the Taoiseach if he is aware of a statement (details supplied) by Mr. Bailie, Minister of Commerce at Stormont, that before proceeding any further on matters such as economic development in Border areas it would be appropriate to receive from Dublin more co-operation designed to prevent destruction of existing establishments; if he will make a statement on the matter; and if co-operation in this direction has now ceased.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - North-South Co-operation.
1.
I am aware that in his reply to a Parliamentary Question put to him on the 23rd November the Northern Minister of Commerce, Mr. Robin Bailie, referred to benefits in co-operation in such fields as fuel and tourism and said that he did not think that anything would be gained by precipitate action to discontinue such developments. That is also the attitude of this Government.
In view of the incursions across the Border, the murder of an office cleaner and of a Customs official last week, both Catholics, and also of an hotel receptionist recently, what is being done by the Taoiseach, or by the Government to deal with the present situation and the drift to anarchy? Is the Taoiseach not aware that there is a grave danger of this whole State, the Twenty-six Counties, being caught up in this whole turmoil, which is taking place at present? Is it the Taoiseach's intention to govern or to stand idly by?
The Deputy ought to be aware that some of the incidents to which he referred occurred on the other side of the Border, but I can assure him that so far as the Government are concerned we will take every step to ensure that activities such as he described will be eliminated.
What does the Taoiseach mean by saying he is taking every step when four men who were arrested and brought to court——
This is argumentative.
——were allowed out scot free? Would the Taoiseach not think that it is his duty to mould public opinion and to channel the ideas and the ideals of our young people into more constructive lines than the use of violence? Will the Taoiseach not further agree that four years ago he went on television and he said he would use all the resources at his command——
This is a speech.
——It is not—to put down the farmers at the particular time?
This has nothing to do with the question.
Would the Taoiseach not agree that he should use the resources of this State to bring violence to an end?
Would the Taoiseach state if the plans which he announced last year, that there would be co-operation between the Departments here and their counterparts in the North on economic matters, are now being scrapped or will they continue?
They are continuing.
Question No. 2.
Is the Taoiseach not prepared to answer any question about the drift to anarchy which is taking place at present?
Order. I am calling Question No. 2.
Is the Taoiseach not interested in this country at present or in its future?
The Deputy has got his words on the record. That is what he wanted.
That is not what I want.
Of course that is all the Deputy is interested in.
The Deputy is more interested in the future of this country than the Taoiseach seems to be.
The Deputy is making allegations and everybody knows that.