asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government are establishing diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level with the USSR; and, if so, whether there will be any restrictions on the number of USSR embassy personnel in this country.
36.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Diplomatic Relations with USSR.
35.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is proposed to open diplomatic relations with the USSR; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
37.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of a recent statement in Irish newspapers of the intention of the Irish Government to open diplomatic relations with the USSR; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to reply to Questions Nos. 35, 36 and 37 together.
As I indicated in reply to a similar question on 9th December, 1971, I do not consider it appropriate to discuss publicly the matter of establishing diplomatic relations with particular countries.
Could the Minister say whether the matter has been under consideration by the Government?
I answered the Deputy on that before. The only reason for not giving full information is that diplomatic relations are established by agreement between two Governments. There are two decisions to be made and certain negotiations involved. For that reason the Minister for Foreign Affairs has not been able at any time to give information such as that requested by the Deputies. If diplomatic relations are established, the House will be informed accordingly.
Is there no provision whereby the Minister can obtain the advice of the House before reaching a decision?
Replying to Deputy Desmond before Christmas I said that I would welcome the opinions of the House, but I have not received any yet.
We do not table questions for fun.
Would the Minister not agree that it would be a major step on our part to establish diplomatic relations with Russia on the level suggested here?
Such a step is long overdue.
Do not mind whether it is long overdue. Each of us is entitled to his opinion. Surely the House should be informed of any such steps and should be consulted before any agreement might be signed. It was not so very long ago that we would not have relations in any form with Russia, whether rightly or wrongly? We should be very cautious about having links with Eastern Europe in view of the system that prevails in that part of the world at present. That is my view.
Deputies
Hear, hear.
We have the view of the Labour Party but we have heard nothing yet from Fine Gael.
Could the Minister tell us what criteria is applied in cases such as this and whether in this particular case the question of security would be considered?
It would not be appropriate to discuss publicly the arrangements to be made between countries.
Would there be phone tapping?
That is something to be avoided. It is normal practice to negotiate what type of arrangements would exist between countries in the missions established and security is very much a part of the arrangements that other countries make in these matters.
Their security.
Would the Minister not agree that in the abortive treaty negotiated in 1920, our President, Mr. de Valera, recognised the Bolshevik regime and assumed the responsibility in that treaty of looking after the Catholics of Russia, so that 52 years later we are getting around to implementing what Mr. de Valera agreed to in 1920?
From what the Minister has said I take it that, because of the security aspect, the question would be considered very carefully before any decision would be reached?
Surely after 52 years the matter could be regarded as having been considered carefully?
It is very offensive to another country to have a discussion of this type——
Do not be so pompous.
I am not being pompous, but let us imagine how we would regard the parliament of another country who might talk about us in this way.
(Interruptions.)
Are we not fellow members with Russia at the UN?
The Deputy's party are raising the arguments.
The Minister recognised China.
We did not recognise China but voted for her admission to the UN.