asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's attitude to the forthcoming elections in Portugal and, in particular, to the exclusion of certain political parties from these elections.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Portugal Elections.
57.
The Government have followed the political evolution towards democracy in Portugal, a most important step in which is the holding of elections to a Constituent Assembly later this month. They welcome the efforts of those who are working for a full democratic development. I would hope that, notwithstanding the difficulties that have followed the emergence of Portugal from 50 years of dictatorship, the commitment exists to enable the Portuguese people to attain the goal of a fully democratic society.
I put down this question because I recognise the Minister's concern. I welcome his statement in reply to a previous question of mine about a move towards democracy in Portugal. The Minister will be aware that certain political parties are excluded from participation in the election. I know the Minister's power is limited but I should like him to express a view as to whether or not he is concerned at their exclusion. It is important that our position should be clearly on the record and consistently so.
I do not think it would be useful for me to express a view on the internal political arrangements of another country. I doubt that it would be likely to produce the kind of result which the Deputy is hoping to secure. The question of the arrangements for representation in politics is very much an internal matter. The Deputy will be aware that, until a couple of years ago, the Communists Party were banned from elections in West Germany. This did not occasion protests that West Germany was not democratic. I do not want to go beyond that, but it is very much an internal question, and one in which it might not be useful or productive for us to become publicly involved.
What is issue for the goose is sauce for the gander. If there are signs in the manner in which these elections are held that democracy as we know it, and hope it will be achieved everywhere, will not be fully implemented, should we not at least express our concern? We have expressed our concern previously and why should we exclude Portugal?
I do not think we should make any point of principle of including or excluding any country from comment, but as the present situation evolves with all its obscurities, I do think comment would be helpful. We will, of course, as will all member countries in the Community continue to watch with interest, and concern, and hope, the evolution of the situation in Portugal. The Deputy knows that our concern and interest are exactly the same as his in this whole matter.
The Minister will probably have interpreted the same concern around the country, but my concern is that where regimes of the right may be acting contrary to the democratic principle there is always an understandable reaction throughout the world, a reaction which we can readily support. At the same time there are elements who are concerned where regimes of the left do not adhere to the same principle, and there is not the same response here as one might expect. Would the Minister accept that we should be consistent irrespective of whether the repression comes from the left or the right?
I entirely accept that we should be consistent and that right or left is irrelevant in the question of repression of any kind. I do not accept that in the attitudes expressed or policies pursued there is inconsistency of the kind to which the Deputy has referred.
None of us in this House would try to defend the dictatorship in Portugal prior to the revolution, but would the Minister not accept that this Government and this country should be more vocal in our protests about the anti-democratic activities taking place during the election campaign in Portugal be they from the left, the ultra left, or the violently ultra left, because none of them are from the right?
The Deputy may feel that comments of that kind from outside a country during an election campaign are likely to be helpful to the result he wishes to achieve, but I do not think I can share his confidence. When elections are taking place is perhaps the best time for other countries to say nothing and await the outcome with concern and interest.
One final supplementary.
There have been five supplementaries already.
Would the Minister not agree that when he was in Opposition he was inclined to comment on the internal operations of other countries and would he not continue this, especially in his role of President of the Foreign Affairs Committee?
Question No. 58.
The impact of comment from the Opposition and Government on affairs in other countries can be somewhat different.
That does not answer the question.
I appreciate the Deputy's concern but, at the moment, my responsibility and my concern must be the achievement of a good outcome of the kind we would all be happy with in Portugal rather than with domestic opinion in these weeks. I do not think that at this moment domestic opinion is concerned, or that there is a pressure of public opinion for us to make a public statement on the matter, although I believe our people are awaiting with concern the outcome of the election.
Question No. 58.