asked the Taoiseach if following the recent decision of the Human Rights Commission to declare as admissible most of the complaints brought by Ireland alleging British contravention of the Human Rights Charter, the Government intend to consider the question of a friendly settlement with Britain to resolve this matter.
26.
asked the Taoiseach under what circumstances the Government would consider withdrawing the complaints against Britain before the Human Rights Commission.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 26 together.
The application having been accepted, the European Commission of Human Rights has now, under Article 28 of the Human Rights Convention, to establish the facts of the case and to put itself at the disposal of the parties with a view to securing a friendly settlement of the matter on the basis of respect for human rights as defined in the Convention. It has invited the Government to submit their written observations on the merits of the complaints and will later invite the British Government to do likewise. It is not anticipated that the Commission will undertake any steps towards seeking a settlement until these observations have been received. The Government will, of course, give due consideration to any proposals the Commission may make at that stage. The Government, therefore, do not at the moment envisage withdrawing the complaints.
27.
asked the Taoiseach the number of times he met with and advised the leaders of the Opposition parties on the Northern situation during the recent summer recess.
28.
asked the Taoiseach the number of meetings he has held with Northern politicians during the summer recess; the purpose of these meetings; and his plans for any future meetings.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 28 together.
I had two meetings and a number of telephone contacts with leaders of the Opposition.
In regard to Question No. 28 I had a number of meetings with Northern politicians but do not propose to give the other details sought. The only formal meeting was with the Social Democratic and Labour Party.
You sent a helicopter for them and then did a jinx. It was good publicity for the Clare by-election.
Would the Deputy produce the physical evidence?
They did not like that publicity.
May I say for the record that we gave no intimation to anybody that a helicopter would be sent for any member of the SDLP and that in so far as there was a disclosure it was by the members of that party themselves and not by us.
Do not be so sure about it.
Is it not true that because of his action in relation to the helicopter——
We must have order. Question No. 29.
(Cavan): Is there any truth in the rumour that Mr. Gerry Fitt will meet the Taoiseach again only when Mr. Faulkner is present?
29.
asked the Taoiseach whether his call to the British Government for a declaration of intent can now be taken as Government policy; and if he will indicate in precise terms what this declaration involves.
As I have indicated on a number of occasions, I believe that Britain's pledge in regard to Northern Ireland should be reformulated in a positive sense, that is to say, that Britain should say that the unity of Ireland by agreement is in Britain's interest, as well as Ireland's.
I can take it then that the declaration of intent is not being confused with the policy that Britain should declare her intent to leave this country after due time and on a fair basis. That is not the same as the declaration——
I will not use the Deputy's formula. I have used mine and it is on record.
I have been using mine much longer.
30.
asked the Taoiseach what protests, formal and otherwise, have been made to the British Government against the continuing excesses of the British Army in the Six Counties.
31.
asked the Taoiseach whether he has protested during recent months to the British Government concerning the assassinations and other acts of violence being perpetrated by Unionist extremists on the minority in the Six Counties; and, if so, if he will make a detailed statement on the matter.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 31 together.
We are in continuing touch with the British authorities about matters such as those referred to in the questions and they are well aware of our views.
Have there been formal protests in regard to any of these recent excesses, whether by the British Army or by extremists on the Unionist side? There have been protests made about continuing excesses, but all that has gone on since Motorman has cleared the way for these people——
There have been specific approaches about the British Army. First of all, I should like to say this about the activities of all groups in this respect: we deplore sectarian killings, no matter by whom they are committed.
Hear, hear.
I should like to say, too, that both communities in the North need reassurance: the minority community from the point of view of equal opportunities to find jobs and homes, as well as security; and the majority community require an assurance from us that we want any approach to them to be with their consent as well as the assurance that nothing will be done that would not be known to them and that it would be conducive to achieving their consent and ultimate agreement.
Hear, hear.
Would the Taoiseach inform the House what exactly he has done to win the consent of any important section of the majority in the North?
If the Deputy would only read my speeches over a long period. I have met many of their representatives, private representatives, public representatives and church representatives. They have taken the message back that we do not want to coerce them into anything but that we want them by agreement and by consent.
What has the Taoiseach done to persuade them?
I am calling Question No. 32.
I have two questions down and I have been permitted only one supplementary. Is that in order? You said at the outset that the number of supplementaries should be restricted and I suggest that implies there could be more than one. I have got only one of my two questions.
I have answered two supplementaries by the Deputy but I am prepared to answer another if he asks it.
Might I inquire whether the Taoiseach appears to be or is preoccupied with assuring one side only in the Six Counties, and that the absence of public protest during the last couple of months from the south is in complete contrast to the protests that were made at an earlier time when it was the other way around?
Having information and facts available to me from members of both communities, and very recently from the minority community, on some of the things of which Deputy Blaney complains, I can assure him I have not been slow to place these facts before those who can take action on them.
Can the Taoiseach ascertain whether British Army murder squads are operating in the Six Counties?
I do not think that is the sort of question the Deputy ought to put in the House.
Has the Taoiseach no interest in these allegations?
32.
asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the present Northern situation; whether any policy is under consideration to further reconciliation between Irishmen of the various traditions which would alone guarantee progress towards the attainment of unity based on agreement and consent.
33.
asked the Taoiseach whether he is prepared to take the initiative and invite representatives of all shades of political opinion in Northern Ireland to a conference whereby areas of common agreement might be arrived at and long-held fears assuaged; and, if not, why.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 33 together.
Government policy has been consistently directed towards reconciliation between Irishmen, a reconciliation which would enable them to come to live together in peace and justice. I have repeatedly advocated progress towards the attainment of unity by agreement. My most recent statement on these themes was made to the Anglo-American Press Association in Paris just a week ago today.
I believe that the developing situation in Northern Ireland gives cause for the gravest concern. The Government are of the view that the need for quadripartite talks on the lines that I have frequently advocated is becoming increasingly apparent.
Is not the weakness in our approach at present that there is no shortage of speeches looking for reconciliation but that there appears to be a notable lack of content in the speeches made? I feel sure there is no coercion intended but——
The Deputy may not make a speech. He may ask a question.
My question is whether the Taoiseach will agree that he should follow up the speeches he has been making in Der Spiegel and elsewhere by saying that there will be no difficulty in raising social welfare benefits here. Will he not agree there is a need for content in our speeches in regard to these economic and social matters which is at present absent? Does he not agree that speeches in regard to constitutional reform in this part of the country are but vague gestures of goodwill without positive content?
This is a long speech.
Ever since the advent of the first Fianna Fáil Government we have regarded as a priority, in order to achieve part of our national objective, the building up of our economy steadily, and indeed latterly spectacularly. We have not built it up to the extent that we should like to but that is one factor. If we can show a buoyant economy, with living standards as high as anywhere in the world, then that will mean the removal of one of the material difficulties involved.
