andMr. Begley asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on his latest meeting with the British Prime Minister and if he will state whether, apart from the present situation in Northern Ireland, any other matters were discussed.
5.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Talks with British Prime Minister.
4.
asked the Taoiseach whether and further talks are planned with Mr. Heath regarding the Northern question; and whether such talks will include Mr. Faulkner.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 and 5 together.
I made a brief call on the British Prime Minister when I was in London last Monday to address the Parliamentary Press Gallery group. I availed myself of the opportunity to urge again on Mr. Heath the importance of taking a political initiative in relation to the North and to endeavour to persuade him of the folly of the policy of cratering Border roads, one-sided internment and other measures directed against the non-unionist community.
No definite arrangements have been made for a further meeting between Mr. Heath and myself; the question of Mr. Faulkner's presence at any such meeting was not considered.
Will the Taoiseach convey to Mr. Heath the abhorrence of all civilised people of the arrest and interrogation——
This does not arise from the question.
——of Belfast school-children?
Question No. 6.
I am not disagreeing with your ruling but the question has been asked. I will say, Sir,——
Chair, Chair.
——that anyone would be heart-sickened, and I mean that, by the arrest and interrogation of schoolchildren particularly by forces against whom ill-treatment of adult detainees in the course of extracting information has been established. This should not be tolerated in any society and I believe the British Government should not permit themselves to be dragged into conduct and practice in support of Unionism which the British people themselves would not tolerate in relation to their own children. These views have been conveyed to the British Government.
Could the Taoiseach say whether he emphasised to Mr. Heath once more the necessity of ending internment without trial and could the Taoiseach say whether any indication was given to him of the shape of the inter-party talks in Westminster and the items to be discussed at that level in Westminster?
I got no indication that internment without trial would be ended speedily. I discussed with both Mr. Heath and Mr. Wilson the inter-party discussions that they had envisaged. They each told me that last week they had a conversation themselves about it. Mr. Wilson is pursuing it as a matter of urgency and I hope that that urgency will be reciprocated on the other side.
Has any date been fixed for the Taoiseach's next meeting with Mr. Heath?
No.