asked the Taoiseach whether it is proposed to meet with Northern political groupings having elected representatives or to issue invitations for consultations prior to the publication of the British Government White Paper.
6.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Northern Ireland Situation.
5.
asked the Taoiseach if he has received any request in recent weeks from Unionist leaders for discussions; and, if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.
With your permission a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 6 together.
My views about the necessity for talks between the parties concerned are well known. I have had discussions on many occasions with political leaders from the North and I hope that more discussions of this kind will take place as time goes on.
Is the Taoiseach contemplating taking the initiative in this matter in the near future?
It is a matter on which I would not like to indicate my intentions. Many of those who come to see me and discuss matters of mutual interest in relation to the Northern Ireland situation do not wish that it be known that they come. I think it is better to continue on that basis.
Would the Taoiseach agree that in discussions with Northern political groupings it would be advantageous, in so far as it is possible, to indicate the content of the Taoiseach's plans for a united Ireland based on consent and agreement, and therefore that he should give the fullest possible idea of the constitutional, economic and political changes that would be necessary in such a situation?
Most of the people who have come have come on an informal basis, with one exception, the SDLP members. I do not think there is any need for widening the actual form of representation at this stage.
Would the Taoiseach agree that if there is to be any shade of unionist political opinion involved in such talks, obviously the content of the so-called desire of ours for a country united on the basis of consent and agreement must be filled out and that the failure in our approach at present is that our approach is devoid of contempt?
I have told the Deputy already that in some cases the people who come do not want the fact that they have come known; much less do they want the content of the conversations known.