Vol. 263 No. 1
asked the Taoiseach if he is in a position to indicate generally the results of his recent discussions with the British Prime Minister on the British Government's proposals in relation to the North of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
7.
asked the Taoiseach if he has had any recent discussions with the British Prime Minister and other interests concerned with a view to finding a peaceful solution to the serious situation in Northern Ireland.
8.
asked the Taoiseach if Mr. Heath discussed with him the proposed holding of the Northern Ireland referendum and the local government elections; and if he was informed of the reasons for their postponement.
9.
asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement regarding his recent meeting with Mr. Heath in Paris outlining the major points discussed.
10.
asked the Taoiseach if he will consider taking a deputation from all parties in the Dáil to his next meeting with Mr. Heath; and, if not, why.
11.
asked the Taoiseach if he proposed any new political initiatives to Mr. Heath at his meetings in Munich and Paris; and, if so, whether he is in a position to inform the Dáil as to any such proposals.
12.
asked the Taoiseach whether at his meetings with Mr. Heath in Munich and Paris he pressed for quadripartite talks on the future of Northern Ireland.
13.
asked the Taoiseach if, during his recent meetings with Mr. Heath at Munich and Paris specific demands and/or requests were made by the British Prime Minister with regard to the internal security matters of this State; and if any assurances were given in this respect.
14.
asked the Taoiseach whether Mr. Heath has given any prior intimation to him of the contents of the Green Paper due to be published shortly; whether the views of the Government have been sought in this connection; and if he will indicate the Government's attitude to the British decision to publish this paper.
15.
asked the Taoiseach whether Mr. Heath informed him of any plans by the British Government to end internment in Northern Ireland in the near future; and whether he requested Mr. Heath to take such a step in the interests of restoring peace to Ulster.
16.
asked the Taoiseach whether the British Prime Minister at the recent Munich and Paris meetings requested him to withdraw the complaints laid by the Government before the Human Rights Commission; and, if so, if he will indicate the attitude of the Government to such a request.
17.
asked the Taoiseach the result of his recent discussions with the British Prime Minister and the prospects for a peaceful solution for the trouble in Northern Ireland.
18.
asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement regarding his recent meetings with Mr. Heath; if he is aware of the deteriorating situation in the Twenty-six Counties due to the troubles in Northern Ireland; and what action the Government intend taking to protect life and property and the institutions of State.
19.
asked the Taoiseach whether he is aware as a result of his discussions with Mr. Heath of any British intention to withdraw their troops from Northern Ireland; and if the Government have considered this likely.
20.
asked the Taoiseach if he will indicate when he intends to meet Mr. Heath again.
21.
asked the Taoiseach if, during his recent meeting with Mr. Heath, he suggested the presence of UN troops in Northern Ireland as a means of preventing violence; and if he has given any further consideration to seeking United Nations intervention in an effort to resolve the Northern Ireland problem.
22.
asked the Taoiseach if he expressed to Mr. Heath during their recent meeting the disquiet he feels, as recently intimated in a magazine interview, regarding the impartiality or otherwise of the British Army in the North; and what assurances, if any, were forthcoming from Mr. Heath in this matter.
23.
asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement in relation to any discussions which he has had with the British Prime Minister in relation to Northern Ireland during his visit to Paris last week.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 to 23 together.
It would not be in accordance with usual practice to reveal details of discussions such as those I have had recently with the British Prime Minister in Munich and Paris. The value of such meetings depends largely on their confidential nature.
I conveyed to Mr. Heath the Government's assessment of the situation in Northern Ireland and emphasised our anxiety in that regard. I also impressed upon him the necessity for an urgent political initiative leading to quadripartite talks on the lines I have repeatedly advocated.
These meetings between the two heads of Government are arranged by mutual consent; no date has been fixed for a further meeting. The presence of an all-party deputation at such meetings would not be appropriate.
Could the Taoiseach say if the British Prime Minister indicated the nature of the proposed British proposals in respect of the North of Ireland?
No, he did not give me any details of what the proposals would contain. He did indicate to me that they would be published in a very short time. That has since been confirmed and I believe the proposals are likely to be published next Monday.
The Taoiseach said he is reluctant to reveal the details of the conversation he had with Mr. Heath but he did say that he emphasised once again the matter of quadripartite talks. Could he tell us what Mr. Heath's reaction was?
I told Mr. Heath that this was one part of our talks which I was prepared to indicate to the Press had taken place between us. I did advocate this not only in my talks in Paris last week but in Munich last month and on each occasion he indicated to me that to hold quadripartite talks would present difficulties for him and his government.
The Taoiseach has not answered the question I asked, Question No. 18, as to whether he was aware of the deteriorating situation in the Twenty-six Counties due to the troubles in Northern Ireland and what action the Government were going to take to protect life and property and the institutions of our State here.
From time to time the Minister for Justice has given an indication of what is being done and what has been done in this regard. As the House is aware, the Garda Síochána force have been supplemented considerably to the point that they are now at the highest level of recruitment and membership in their history. There has been, from time to time, increased military and Garda strength devoted to Border areas, and especially sensitive areas, and I think I can say that to the full extent that our resources make it possible, we have made available all the protection we can make available in the Border areas.
Can we take it that there will be no double-think or double-talk but real action in the future, that justice will be done to all sections and that you will really attack the IRA and those who are out to break down the institutions of this State? The Taoiseach will admit that things have been allowed to drift much too far in this country?
No. I want to assert that we have done everything possible within the law.
What about the men who fired shots at the funeral in Mullingar two years ago? I can give the Taoiseach the names if he wishes.
Where the law was not effective, we have changed the law. I can assure the Deputy that there is no fear or favour, and I emphasise fear, of anybody as far as this Government are concerned in carrying out their duty.
May I ask the Taoiseach if he suggested the presence of UN troops in Northern Ireland?
I think the House is aware that I made that proposal on a number of occasions in the past.
I mean on the recent occasion.
It was not acceptable. The British government gave no indication that they were prepared to accept that suggestion. I have not repeated it in recent meetings because I did not feel that it would serve any useful purpose.
