asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if any requests were made for changes in the Irish Constitution during the Minister's recent meeting with the British Secretary of State; and, if so, the changes that were requested.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Constitutional Changes.
83.
The answer to the first part of the question is "no"; the second part does not, therefore, arise.
My understanding, as a result of reading some of the spokesmen in the North and, indeed, in Britain, is that pressure may be put on the Minister in an effort to make us withdraw our claim to our sovereignty over this part of the State and is it not true that the conflict might end if the Westminster Government withdrew their claim to that integral part of Ireland?
The Deputy is bringing in new matter.
I do not think it arises out of this question and, therefore, I am not called on to reply to the Deputy. It raises a very broad issue of opinion as to what might happen in hypothetical circumstances.
Is is not true that what is, in effect, the problem is that this is a piece of territory disputed by two sovereign States?
That is a well-known historical fact.
Again, that is a separate question and slightly over simplifies the problem.