asked the Taoiseach if he has protested officially to the British Government against the proposal to hold a plebiscite on the subject of partition in the Six County area.
3.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Six County Plebiscite.
2.
asked the Taoiseach if, in the event of the British Government proceeding with the declared intention to hold a plebiscite confined to the Six County area on the subject of partition, he will arrange that a plebiscite on the same subject will be held in this part of the country on the same date so that the democratic will of the Irish nation may be determined.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 3 together.
I understand that the British Government have not finally committed themselves to having a plebiscite about the Border in the North at any particular time. The Government's views on this subject have been fully explained to the British Government. If and when a plebiscite is held, the Government will consider the position.
Since the so-called Whitelaw initiatives, have the Government made any official protest against the suggestion of a plebiscite being held?
The Government's views were conveyed to the British Government immediately after Mr. Heath made the announcement of his initiatives on 24th March, repeated frequently since then, and repeated no later than the end of last week.
May we take it that the Government are opposed to the idea of holding a plebiscite?
Yes.
(Interruptions.)
Would the Taoiseach not agree——
Will the Deputy start again because more than one Deputy was speaking?
Would the Taoiseach not agree that, though one may well question the timing of such a plebiscite, the principle of reunion with the consent of a majority in Northern Ireland, to which, I think, all parties here are committed, does imply the consultation of the people of Northern Ireland in this matter at some appropriate time?
I understood that it was the accepted policy and outlook of all parties in this House that an issue of this nature should not be decided by a section of our people. It is an issue that will affect the development of our entire country. I understood that to be the policy of the Deputy's party.
Does the Taoiseach agree that reunion can and should only come with the consent of the majority in Northern Ireland?
I have stated frequently that we must get the consent of all the people of Northern Ireland.
I cannot reconcile that with some of the Taoiseach's statements.
Surely the Taoiseach agrees that an artificially selected area cannot be regarded as a justifiable unit for decision?
I agree entirely. That is the point I was trying to make with the Deputy's colleague.
The principle of reunion with the consent of the majority is clear.
I do not think that the Taoiseach answered Question No. 3 which I tabled.
I answered it.
Am I to understand that in the event of the British Government proceeding, we in the Twenty-six Counties would authorise a plebiscite to take place at the same time?
I refer the Deputy to my original answer. I said that if and when such a plebiscite is held the Government would consider the position.
Does the Taoiseach agree that with Northern Ireland in a state of incipient sectarian civil war, as is the case at the moment, talk of an all-Ireland plebiscite on partition is simply adding fuel to those flames? Would the Taoiseach further agree that his own recent speech on his recognised right to have a say in tripartite talks and his Foreign Affairs article urging immediate moves in the direction of unity are also adding fuel to those flames? Would he agree also that, granted the menacing situation in Northern Ireland now, we here should at least refrain from making matters worse by insisting on having our own way, whatever the cost?
The Deputy has taken out of context parts of speeches and articles I have written. I have always advocated reconciliation. I believe a plebiscite would not be reconciliatory now but would be divisive. That is my opinion. It would polarise, rather than bring people together.
May I give notice of my desire to raise the subject matter of Questions Nos. 2 and 3 on the Adjournment?
(Interruptions.)
The Taoiseach doubted the possibility of a plebiscite being held. There seems to be little doubt about that. Would the Taoiseach agree that in the event of a plebiscite being held we should spell out on this side here, far from simply basing our line on saying that we desire unity, what the content of that unity should be in constitutional and economic terms, because the people who may be taking part in this plebiscite in Northern Ireland know nothing about our particular desires in the matter of unity? If the plebiscite is held, would it not be more constructive on this side that the Government here should spell out economic and constitutional implications of unity, so that any Unionists, few and all as they are, who might be interested in this plebiscite——
That is a separate question.
That would widen the question considerably.
Do I take it the Chair will communicate with the Deputy?
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy certainly.
Would the Taoiseach not agree that the democratic decision of the Irish people should be ascertained so as to confirm the decision of the people in 1918?
I think I have indicated adequately to the Deputy the mind of the Government. There is no point in going back over matters that——
We can take it the Government decision will be to hold a referendum.
I am only indicating we are keeping the situation under review. I just want to say that a plebiscite in the North of Ireland on a matter like this is not realistic politics in terms of Anglo-Irish relations at the present time.