asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's attitude on the recent Chinese nuclear explosion.
8.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Nuclear Tests.
7.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if any formal protest has been lodged against French nuclear tests; and, if not, why.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 8 together.
The Government view with great concern the holding of nuclear weapon tests in the atmosphere and, indeed, in all environments. Ireland has consistently opposed such tests and our attitude has been repeatedly made clear at the United Nations General Assembly and at many international conferences elsewhere. The Government will continue to support efforts designed to achieve a complete cessation of all nuclear weapon tests.
As our policy is to oppose all such tests, I do not think it necessary to protest in particular cases.
Was any formal protest made to the French Government?
I think the last sentence of my reply covers this point. As our policy is to oppose all such tests I do not think it necessary to protest in particular cases whether the Governments are Chinese or French or any other Governments.
Would the Minister not consider it advisable on behalf of the people of Ireland to make a formal protest to the French Government? Why does he not think this is desirable?
A case could be made for such a protest had we not made our position clear but, as we have not only been consistent in the attitude we have adopted but have initiated resolutions in the United Nations on this subject, our position is so clear that it would be tautologous for us to make protests to particular countries.
Is the Minister aware that a number of countries made formal protests and, if we had lent our support to these countries, it might have had a considerable effect on the decision of the French Government?
I do not think other countries have quite such a clear record on the subject as we have. The Chair will be aware that on the question of nuclear proliferation it was an Irish resolution which was adopted by the United Nations about 13 years ago.
How many years ago?
Approximately 13 years ago.
Could we not talk about 13 days ago?
That and other actions we have taken since in support of other resolutions made our position amply clear to all Governments concerned.
Is it not a fact that, if the Minister had been in Opposition when this occurred, he would have been the first person to put down questions asking the Government to make a formal protest? Can we now ask the Minister to make a formal protest on behalf of the Government of this country? I am sure the Minister is aware that the people are very concerned about the testing of nuclear weapons.
We cannot have a long debate on the subject.
The concern of the people is amply evident. The line adopted by the previous Government fully reflected the viewpoint of the people. The question posed by Deputy Briscoe is a hypothetical one. He asked what my attitude would be if the result of the general election had been different. Possibly the question is not in order but I would have some difficulty in casting my mind back to what my view would have been four months ago.
Why is the Minister reluctant to make a formal protest——
The Minister has already explained his decision.
——in addition to the stand we have taken in previous years?
There are endless things in the world about which we could protest and the time of the Foreign Minister of any country could be taken up in constant protests. Where our position is not clear on an issue, where it has not arisen previously, and where there is a strong Irish view, a protest is appropriate. If our position is clearly on record it seems to me that for us to protest is superfluous.
When the Minister was Deputy Garret FitzGerald he protested about everything from St. Stephen's Green to the GPO.
The Deputy's chicken is still remembered—or was it a turkey?
When the Minister was Deputy Garret FitzGerald he was the leading protester. No platform escaped him.
Question No. 9.
He protested about everything from St. Stephen's Green to the GPO and down to Limerick.
The Deputy should not make such a point of it.
(Cavan): The only place he kept away from was the Four Courts.