asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a declaration on behalf of the Republic that, because of the increasingly repressive and discriminatory nature of South Africa's minority government against the majority of black Africans, he would wish all cultural, sporting and other forms of tacit support for the South African regime to be discontinued as an indication of this nation's belief in the rights of peoples of all nations to self determination.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - South African Regime.
12.
The Government are deeply concerned at the evidence of increasing repression in South Africa. As stated in the Dáil on 2nd November, following the recent repressive measures a protest was made to the South African Government on behalf of the nine countries of the European Community. I outlined the views of the Government and our condemnation of apartheid in the course of my address to the General Assembly of the United Nations on 5th October last.
As regards cultural and recreational contacts with South Africa, I should first place on record that Ireland has no cultural agreement with South Africa and that we have no official contacts with South Africa in this field.
In relation to sporting contacts, Irish national sporting organisations have been directly informed, in accordance with UN recommendations, of the Government's firm attachment to the Olympic principle of non-discrimination in sport.
While in my view it is for those directly concerned in cultural and recreational activities to make their own decisions in matters of this kind, I would strongly urge organisations and individuals concerned in arriving at their decisions to give due weight to the statements of the present Government and of their predecessors deploring the policy of apartheid; in particular, I would hope that they would decline to participate in events which are of their nature organised on a discriminatory basis.
I welcome the recommendation in relation to sporting groups, but the Minister did not deal with the question of economic and trading links with South Africa, which is something more than the Government can do themselves. Does the Minister agree that, in view of the veto and the difficulties in the Security Council, it is unlikely that we will get a boycott?
That arises on another question.
I am sorry.
Can the Minister indicate whether the Government will issue a directive to the semi-State sector to withhold leave of absence from people who may wish to participate in South African tours?
In relation to our association of sport organisations, I have been in constant communication with the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education who is involved in this area. I am quite satisfied that he, as an agent of Government policy, will implement the aims referred to in my answer.
13.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the repressive regime under which there is undisputed and growing deprivation of civil rights to the majority of black Africans in South Africa, the Government will consider, either at once or progressively over a period, severing all economic and trading links with South Africa and transferring these trading arrangements to the free countries of Black Africa.
On the question of economic and trading links with South Africa, I should perhaps first of all recall that Ireland has, together with its partners in the Community, been considering ways in which the collective weight of the Community can be brought to bear on the Government of South Africa so as to cause it to change its policies. As a first step the Nine have elaborated a code of conduct for firms operating in South Africa and the examination of other possible measures, in which Ireland is playing an active part, is continuing.
At the international level, Ireland has for many years imposed a ban on the export of arms and military equipment to South Africa, in accordance with calls by the Security Council of the United Nations and has urged that this embargo be made mandatory on all member states: we have welcomed the recent decision of the Security Council to this effect. Furthermore, we have recently co-sponsored a resolution in the General Assembly calling on the Security Council to consider imposing a ban on new investment in South Africa.
It is our view, in relation to measures of an economic nature, that it is necessary for the international community to act in concert and after due consideration of the various possibilities, their likely effectiveness and likely consequences. From what I have said it should be clear that we are ready to play our part in such consideration, and to implement those measures which may be decided upon in order to bring pressure to bear on South Africa for change.
I think that international action of the kind I have mentioned would be more likely to be effective than action on our part alone.
I should add, of course, that the Government, quite apart from this, are making every effort to promote trade with the countries of black Africa.
It is very encouraging that all the international power is being turned against South Africa at present. In view of the fact that it is not possible to veto powers in the Security Council, would the Minister not agree that we should take independent action in order to express our horror at the continuing repression in South Africa against these unfortunate people fighting for their liberty, even though I appreciate the economic difficulties in the special circumstances of our historic position?
The Deputy, I and the House generally would be concerned about effective action. I assure the Deputy that, within the process of political consultation of the Nine, we have been actively promoting a development of economic sanctions against South Africa. This is the most effective action we can take and I can assure the Deputy that we will pursue it consistently.
14.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's policy in relation to advertisements such as that which recently appeared in a national newspaper (details supplied) offering employment to a large variety of skilled people in South Africa.
The Government would wish all citizens to be fully aware of the situation in South Africa and of our attitude to it when considering offers of employment in that country. Nevertheless decisions in this regard are a matter for individuals concerned. While the Government do not favour efforts to promote emigration to South Africa, such as that referred to by the Deputy, they do not have power to prohibit advertisements such as that referred to, nor do they consider that it would be appropriate to seek such powers in the absence of binding international obligations in this regard.