asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in the interest of community relations in Belfast, he will use his good offices to promote harmony in the Ballymurphy area of the city.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Belfast Community Relations.
2.
I can assure the Deputy that the Government will do all that is feasible or appropriate to further good community relations, not only in Belfast but throughout Northern Ireland.
In view of the proven record in inter-community relations and the development of the community of Ballymurphy in situ of one of the protagonists in the dispute in that area which was widely reported, would the Minister not think of dropping a word into an influential ear or two in the hope that this dispute which has an effect on the community might be settled?
The Deputy would seem now to be referring to an ecclesiastical problem, and I think——
The Deputy did not mention an ecclesiastical dispute. The question speaks of community relations in Belfast and the promotion of harmony in the Ballymurphy area.
If he is not referring to the ecclesiastical dispute, perhaps he will, if he wishes a reply from me, be more explicit as to the matter he wishes to raise on inter-community relations.
He is out of touch with Ballymurphy.
I thought that as the Arab-Israeli disputes were known to the Minister, he might know about this dispute in this country. As I am not allowed to use the names of people not in the House, may I ask the Minister if he is aware of a dispute in Ballymurphy which is disrupting efforts at inter-community development, community development and co-operative development in that part of the city of Belfast?
My difficulty is that the Deputy is unable to specify what he is talking about and I, therefore, find it difficult to reply. If the Deputy is specific, I shall reply. There are all kinds of problems and all kinds of areas in Northern Ireland and I cannot answer a question in generalised terms. If the Deputy would particularise and cease pussyfooting I could answer his question.
I am tied by the Rules of Order. I asked the Minister did he know of any specific disputes causing disruption in an area of Belfast and he did not say whether he did or not. I got a lot of vaporising about problems.
The Deputy referred elusively to a dispute. I asked the Deputy to identify it more specifically and the Deputy denied it was an ecclesiastical dispute he was referring to.
Arising from the Minister's comments, which are not helpful, would the Minister not accept that an ecclesiastical dispute is not his business?
That is exactly my point. I thank the Deputy.
That is precisely the laneway into which the Minister is not going to walk me. I am asking him could he not, even by secret diplomacy or in any way which seems in his wisdom to be good, use his good offices to try to bring about harmony in that particular triggerpoint of Belfast?
This is repetition.
It is not.
It is.
I submit it is not. Yesterday I tried to ask supplementary questions twice and I was not allowed to ask even one.
The Deputy must not repeat.
I ask the Minister if he can identify a community dispute and will he secretly do something to try to help to bring about a settlement.
The Deputy is making a mockery of the House.
(Interruptions.)
Deputy MacMahon is interrupting and he is totally ignorant of what we are talking about.
(Interruptions.)
Order. I am calling the next question.
Quite appalling ignorance is being spread over this House by Deputy Wilson at present. If the Deputy is referring to an ecclesiastical dispute, then the answer is in the negative. I do not feel any intervention on our part of the kind referred to is called for. If the Deputy is referring to some other dispute and gives a more precise indication of what the dispute is, I will try to bring my mind to bear on it.
(Interruptions.)
Order. Question No. 3.