asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement concerning the recent major legislative and institutional reforms introduced by the British Government in Northern Ireland.
2.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Northern Ireland Situation.
1.
asked the Taoiseach if, following the recent announcement by the British Government of certain major legislative and other reforms affecting Northern Ireland, it is the Government's intention to take any far-reaching initiatives concerning the present Constitution of the Republic.
3.
asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement regarding the Government's attitude towards the Westminister initiatives now operative in Northern Ireland; if he will indicate whether or not the opinion of the Government was asked prior to their formulation; and whether or not he sought any consultation with Mr. Heath prior to the announcement of direct rule for Northern Ireland.
4.
asked the Taoiseach if he will make an address to the nation with regard to future policy and intent of the Government on all aspects of a united Ireland in the light of the imposition of direct rule in Northern Ireland; and if not, why.
5.
asked the Taoiseach whether the Government approve of the main constituents of the recent initiatives on the part of Mr. Heath.
6.
asked the Taoiseach if he has made any arrangements for further meetings with the British Prime Minister concerning the political situation in Northern Ireland.
7.
asked the Taoiseach if he has sought a meeting with Mr. Heath with regard to Northern Ireland since the introduction of direct rule; and, if not, why.
8.
asked the Taoiseach if Mr. Heath has communicated to him any desire or intention to have a meeting with regard to Northern Ireland since the introduction of direct rule; and if he will give details if any such meeting is envisaged.
9.
asked the Taoiseach if he intends to seek a meeting with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr. Whitelaw, with regard to Northern Ireland; if he will indicate whether or not there has been any communication between the Government and Mr. Whitelaw; and if such a meeting is envisaged if he will give details of it.
10.
asked the Taoiseach whether any meeting with Mr. Whitelaw is under consideration.
11.
asked the Taoiseach if he has any plans to meet Unionists in the near future to discuss areas of common economic and social interest; and, if not, why.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 11 together.
I regard Mr. Heath's initiatives as a step forward in seeking a lasting solution to the remaining problem in Anglo-Irish relations. As I have already said in the House there is a constant flow of communications between the Government and the British Government. In accordance with customary practice, however, it is not my intention to reveal the contents of such communications.
I am always receptive to meetings with Northern elected representatives both Unionist and non-Unionist to discuss matters of mutual interest on a confidential basis. I have no plans at present to meet Mr. Heath or Mr. Whitelaw.
The Government agree that the Constitution of a united Ireland must reflect the nature of the country as a whole. This is one of the matters which I hope will also be examined by the inter-party committee now in course of being formed.
In general it is my policy to make public pronouncements in relation to the Northern situation only when I consider it appropriate and useful to do so.
Would the Taoiseach give us an indication of whether there will be an opportunity to discuss these initiatives in the House? I feel this is necessary particularly because the House has been in recess since the announcement of these initiatives.
There will, of course, be opportunities in the House to discuss the Northern Ireland situation in general. I do not know how soon that will be. As the Deputy is aware, the Budget debate will begin next week——
Although I appreciate there will be opportunities from time to time, what I had in mind, particularly in view of the great number of questions the Taoiseach covered in his reply today, is that it would be appropriate and necessary to have a discussion on the whole matter as it now stands in order that there will be clarification rather than confusion, which seems to be the situation since the announcement of these initiatives. In other words, what I am seeking is an early opportunity for a discussion on the specific situation obtaining since the announcement of the initiatives.
Most Members of the House have been very prudent in this matter especially during the last 2½ weeks or so, and the need for a continuation of that prudence is still here. When it is judged that a debate of the nature the Deputy has in mind would be desirable that debate can be arranged.
May I ask one prudent supplementary, which the Taoiseach can answer in a word? Have the Heath initiatives the approval of the Government?
The indication we gave on the day of the announcement of these initiatives put the views of the Government on them. I said at the beginning of my statement today that I regard Mr. Heath's initiative as a step forward in seeking a lasting solution to the remaining problem in Anglo-Irish relations. I referred also to the need for all sections of the community, North and South, to consider the initiatives maturely and objectively in the interests of peace, friendship and co-operation.
Surely the general picture as outlined by various leaders North and South, by Church and State, has been to over-exaggerate what has been contained in the initiatives. It is in order that that might be discussed here that I have risen. Surely a discussion of that nature in this House could not be regarded as imprudent? If it is so regarded, Members of the House should look at themselves and ask themselves why they are here.
I have answered that question already.