asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding the establishment of diplomatic relations between this country and the USSR.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Diplomatic Relations with USSR.
14.
The position is that an exchange of diplomatic representatives, at ambassadorial level, will take place early in 1974. Practical arrangements for this are at present being made in contacts at official level between our two Governments.
Will this House have an opportunity of discussing the matter before the appointment is made?
Mr. FitzGerald
No, the normal practice is that the question of diplomatic relations is a function of the Executive.
Is it appropriate to be establishing relations with the USSR and diverting our attention from the North where there are much greater problems than we have with those people? Would the Minister not consider dropping it at the moment and confining his activity to the Northern problem? It is much more pressing than the establishing of relations with the USSR.
This does not seem to be related to the question on the Order Paper.
Is the Minister seriously telling us now that he is not prepared to have this matter discussed in the House although he discussed it at some length on a phone-in on Radio Éireann recently? Is the Minister telling us that he wants to show positive contempt for this House when he freely and spontaneously discussed the matter on Radio Éireann?
The House is entitled, of course, to raise questions on the matter if it wishes to do so. I was only making the point that the decision is one which is a function of the Executive. I tried to intervene to correct that but not quickly enough. I am sorry if I gave the wrong impression.
The Minister was asked whether he was agreeable to having the matter raised by way of discussion in this House and his answer was a clear and emphatic "no" which I take him as repeating this afternoon. Does the Minister think that is consistent with his readiness to go on a radio programme and freely and spontaneously answer questions from whatever source? Is he suggesting that the Members of this House should engage in a phone-in, including the Minister for Finance, possibly the Taoiseach, Deputy Coogan and some others? Are we not allowed to at least have our views considered in the same way as the people phoning in?
I thought I had clarified the point and corrected any misunderstanding. Of course, Deputies are perfectly entitled to ask questions about it and they will of course, be answered. I am sorry if that was misunderstood.
At Question Time. Can we have a full discussion on the matter?
It is a matter for the Whips to consider whether it is appropriate or not. As far as questions are concerned, I will naturally answer them.
Will the Minister indicate to the House that steps will be taken to safeguard the situation and to ensure that there will be no subversive activities by some of those elements that may come in as in other countries? We already have enough of our own, some of them in this House actually.
I do not think I could answer that statement.