asked the Taoiseach the procedure, if any, he proposes to adopt for consultation with political and community organisations in Northern Ireland; and whether he will report regularly to the Dáil on the progress and outcome of these consultations.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Northern Ireland Consultations.
6.
I shall continue to be available to Northern groups for discussion and consultation. No set procedure for consultation or regular reports to this House has been in operation in this regard nor is one now envisaged.
Would the Taoiseach say whether the visits being undertaken by the Minister for Foreign Affairs will be looked upon as official visits on behalf of the Government and if the consultations which the Minister for Foreign Affairs has had and will have will be seen here and in the North as taking place with the full authority and consent of the Taoiseach and the Government?
As I said in the original reply, it has not been the practice to have any set procedure for discussions with Northern politicians and it is not intended to change that system but both frequent and, I hope, useful contact will continue to be made.
The Taoiseach will be aware of the considerable publicity given to the Minister's visit and also to the reaction—unfavourable to some extent—from some quarters. Is the Taoiseach not concerned that a Minister of this Government could, continuing on that basis, cause considerable further unfavourable reaction? Is the Taoiseach not aware of the dangers that could arise to good relations between us and the North of Ireland on that basis?
On the contrary, I think a good deal of the reaction was favourable. It is inevitable with visits of this sort that where different viewpoints are expressed by representatives of different groups in the North some criticism will result. No doubt the Deputy will remember that when a previous Minister for Foreign Affairs visited the North the same sort of criticism was expressed—again from limited quarters. I think the contacts are useful. It is not possible in certain circumstances to avoid criticism but I have no doubt that the general reaction to the Minister's visit was beneficial.
In view of the Taoiseach's reference to a visit by a previous Minister, does the Taoiseach not recognise the difference between a visit or visits taking place as part of the consultation procedure and being in fact precedent to further visits which the Minister promises, as being entirely different from one visit for one stated purpose? Does the Taoiseach not recognise that when a Minister of his Government announces publicly that he intends to visit and maintain and continue this contact, that there is a real danger that meaningful consultations on a private, confidential basis cannot take place and that those who are not consulted on a particular occasion could react very unfavourably? Does the Taoiseach not see the danger of that?
I have no doubt that all aspects of the matter will be taken into account in the future. There is some merit in letting people know that the Minister is going. In fact, one of the criticisms made about the previous visit was that it appeared to be a furtive effort to make contact. Obviously, when any Minister or public representative goes, if the visit is to be worthwhile, it must involve consultation.