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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Mar 1972

Vol. 259 No. 13

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Northern Ireland Situation.

10.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the cost of the recent visits by him, his staff and others subvented by his Department to the United States, Canada and certain European countries concerning the current political situation in Northern Ireland.

The cost of the visits in question was of the order of £1,000.

11.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, further to his reply to a Parliamentary question of 14th March, 1972, he will state the American-Irish organisation recommended by his Department to which contributions might be given to relieve distress in Northern Ireland.

I have recommended to people who want to help in regard to the Northern situation to co-operate with the American Committee for Ulster Justice. So far as fund-raising is concerned officers of my Department have been authorised to recommend any organisation which remits its funds either to the Irish Red Cross Society or to the "Fund to Assist Those Deprived of Human and Civil Rights in Northern Ireland" recently instituted by the Assembly of the Northern Irish people.

That is where the £100,000 went to.

12.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government will consider commissioning the publication of a booklet which will effectively present their view on the Northern Ireland situation; if he will take steps to have such a booklet produced as soon as possible to counter a booklet issued by the Northern Ireland Government which might be considered abroad as being harmful to the Republic; and whether he is satisfied that the purchase of a newspaper supplement by his Department for distribution abroad is sufficient.

13.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will arrange to have a booklet published detailing the acts of terror such as the Derry shootings of 30th January, 1972, which were omitted from the recent publication "The Terror and the Tears".

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 13 together.

Our information services are active in making the facts about the Northern situation known to the world. The issue of a booklet to counter the publication referred to in the questions is not contemplated at the present time.

Would the Minister not agree that the present services provided by the Government are not presenting a proper picture of the situation in the North of Ireland and are giving a slanted viewpoint? Would he not consider something that would be helpful to the country?

I think the information services of our Government are giving factual information and we do not propose to embark on any propaganda exercise such as we saw in the leaflet, referred to in the question, issued by the Northern Ireland Government.

That is why we think something should be done about it.

Our case is so good and the justice of our case is so strong that factual information from our point of view is much better than propaganda.

I agree but the world has not been told about this. Does the Minister not agree that he thought there was some need when he purchased copies of the newspaper supplement?

Is the Minister's only comment in respect of the document "The Terror and the Tears" that it is propagandistic?

Indeed, yes, a propaganda exercise.

Will the Minister not agree that that view may not necessarily be shared by the two children on the cover of that document?

Hear, hear.

14.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of any indication by the United States Government to use their good offices with regard to the Northern Ireland situation following Senator Kennedy's appeal to President Nixon; and whether or not the Government have again approached the United States subsequent to Deputy Dr. Hillery's visit to Washington; and, if not, why.

As in the cases of other Governments approached in this matter, what we are asking is that the US Government should encourage Britain to seek a political rather than a military solution in Northern Ireland. We are not looking for public statements of intent. We continue to maintain contact with all the Governments concerned.

15.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government have considered approaching the Australian Government with a view to using their good offices with regard to seeking a solution to the Northern Ireland problem; and, if not, why.

Our Ambassadors abroad are in regular contact with their Governments of accredition, including the Australian Government, in regard to the Northern Ireland situation and these Governments have been asked on a number of occasions to urge the British Government to seek a political rather than a military solution to the problems of Northern Ireland.

May I ask the Minister whether direct representations were made to the Australian Government?

Yes. This is being done all over the world.

I am talking specifically about the Australian Government.

Yes, indeed. Yes.

With certainty?

Yes. Every Government——

I am asking specifically about the Australian Government.

You definitely have approached the Australian Government?

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