asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on this country's present position vis-à-vis the Arab states; and if he has had any recent confirmation from those states in regard to Ireland's position in the present oil crisis.
Ceisteanna—Questions. - Relations with Arab States.
61.
Ireland's position is that we have always maintained friendly relations with the states of the Arab world. There have been no indications that the Arab states regard our position as being in any way other than friendly. The Government have consistently supported the efforts of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the decisions of the Security Council designed to achieve a just and lasting settlement to the conflict in that area. Ireland's individual contribution to the search for this settlement has taken the concrete form of making available, at the request of the Secretary-General, a contingent of Irish troops to serve with the United Nations Emergency Force in the Middle East to assist in the implementation of Security Council resolutions.
As the House will be aware, the Arab states have felt obliged to take certain decisions in regard to the production and supply of oil. My understanding is that the Arab states intend to make known comprehensively their attitude to the rest of the world in the matter of oil supplies. This has not yet been done. As I have said, I have no grounds for supposing that the Arab states will not in this respect adopt a favourable disposition towards Ireland.
Would the Minister agree that the fact that we are described as a friendly state in our relationships with Arab countries has no meaning from the point of view of oil supplies at the moment or the ensuring of such supplies in the future?
As the Deputy is probably aware, while certain sounds have been made off stage, no comprehensive decision has yet been taken collectively by the states regarding the classification of countries, but they have made certain decisions with regard to the production and the supply of oil, both of which are having world-wide ramafications. We are hopeful that Ireland's friendly disposition will be recognised and that we will not be treated less favourably than any of their other friends any more than we would want them to be less favourably treated than us.
Mr. Barry
Would the Minister say if any approaches have been made at diplomatic level to Libya with regard to the purchase of oil?
As the Deputy is aware, we have no diplomatic relations with Libya or, indeed, with any of the states in the Arab world. That is not due to any lack of friendship but simply because the pattern of our relations with them and the volume of trade would not justify diplomatic relations and so the question of direct representation has not arisen. We do not purchase either crude oil or oil products direct from any of the Arab countries. The Deputy may be assured that the Government will actively consider any possible steps that could be taken, including direct representations.
Would the Minister consider that the inclusion of a visit by the Minister for Foreign Affairs to oil producing countries in his many trips abroad would serve a useful purpose?
That is a separate question.
That is something that is not ruled out, but we have no direct supplies from these countries at the moment and it is unlikely that we would be in a position to accept direct supplies. If we get indications, however, contrary to those we are at present receiving—all the present signs are friendly and indicate that the states are well disposed towards us—and if we have any reason to fear any change in that attitude we will certainly make direct representations.
Is it not true there are oil refineries proposed for establishment here which will rely mostly on crude oil?
There are a number of proposals in the pipeline and these will certainly have connections with oil producing areas. As I have said, the relationship is extremely good and we will not hesitate to take any action that may be necessary to improve them further.
Is the Minister satisfied that the sources through which we get our supplies indirectly are giving us our fair due?
We are quite satisfied we are getting our proper proportion from these sources. In relation to one of them there is a quid pro quo involved and, if we have any reason to suspect that our proper proportion is not being received, we will take corrective action at our end.
Would the Minister consider making approaches to Romania in view of the fact that President Ceausescu offered oil to the United States recently——
That is a separate question.
——and also in view of the fact that in this particular case it would be a question of the finished product rather than crude oil and there would be no refining problem?
It is not merely a question of diplomatic approaches. It is also a question of whether one is prepared to pay the higher rate. Oil is required by the world and not all countries are imposing political inhibitions. The Deputy may be assured that we will purchase oil at the best possible price from whatever country is prepared to supply it to us.
Seeing we have no suitable vessels in which to transport oil, have the Government thought about purchasing a vessel so that we will not be dependent on someone else?
The Deputy is now getting into a field more appropriate to the Minister for Transport and Power.
The Minister has the money bag.
I may have the money bag, but the Deputy is no doubt aware, as are many of his colleagues, that there is a world wide shortage of money as well as oil.