asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he or the Government made any representations to Mr. Health to secure the release of the internees in Northern Ireland; and if not, why.
12.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Northern Ireland Internees.
11.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government have received any up-to-date report on the treatment of detainees in Northern Ireland.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions No. 11 and 12 together.
Since discussions with the British Prime Minister and other British Ministers are held on a basis of confidentiality, it would not be appropriate to indicate what representations, if any, have been made on matters such as the release of detainees. The Government, of course, receive information from a number of sources about the conditions under which persons are detained in Northern Ireland and are aware that these conditions are far from satisfactory.
I presume this fact was conveyed to the British Government.
I think I have answered the question.
While it may or may not be a matter with which one would agree, that we do not make known the terms in which these representations may have been made, have any representations been made, without giving the details as to what they were, in regard to these matters?
It is not the practice to release details of what communications take place between the two Governments.
Arising from what the Minister said, that the conditions under which the detainees are detained are far from satisfactory, does the Minister not consider it a bit inconsistent of the Government to postpone our case in Strasbourg?
The Deputy may not introduce extraneous matters on this question.
This matter arose while people were in detention.
The Deputy may not advert to a matter which the Chair has decided is sub judice.
Arising out of the Minister's reply——
I am passing on to the next question. Question No. 13.