asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the specific measures of cross-Border activity undertaken by the Government since assuming office.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cross-Border Measures.
13.
Deputies will be aware that at the meeting which the Taoiseach and I had with the British Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in London on 28 September it was agreed that it would be of mutual advantage to improve practical co-operation between the two countries on economic matters and that officials of the two Governments would meet to review the arrangements and opportunities for economic co-operation with particular reference to Northern Ireland. It was agreed they would review current and proposed cross-Border studies and identify subjects and areas for further examination with EEC assistance where appropriate. At their meeting in Copenhagen on 7 April the Taoiseach and British Prime Minister reaffirmed the agreement reached at the London meeting.
Officials of the two Governments have had a number of meetings since September 1977 and have recently submitted reports to their respective Governments. These reports are now being considered and I expect to be in a position to make a further announcement on the matter in the near future.
The Deputy will also recall that on 13 December 1977 the two Governments published the report of a study by consultants of cross-Border communications in the Derry and Donegal area. Both Governments are at present studying the recommendations of the consultants in relation to the various aspects of communications dealt with in this report with a view to working out programmes of action, with EEC aid where appropriate, based on these recommendations.
Is the Minister suggesting that cross-Border discussions in relation to co-operation only started as a result of the September 1976 meeting? Were there no such discussions prior to this? Is this new development to be continued simply between departmental officials, between the two Governments?
No. I am not suggesting that they only started in September 1977. I can fairly say that they were given a new priority and impetus in 1977 and since. I am not suggesting that they should only be at official level. That obviously is the first stage. The political level follows. I can assure the Deputy that this will be the pattern of the discussions in the first instance, official analysis, and in the second instance, political agreement. I hope we will see some developments in that direction in the fairly near future.
What is the Minister's opinion of the negotiations and discussions that were going on prior to 1976? Does he think that they were carried out at a worth-while rate, was anything worth-while achieved? When would he say that those cross-Border discussions on co-operation started?
The Deputy will appreciate that investigation of the reactions then does not arise. When we came into Government we felt there was a need to give a new impetus to cross-Border co-operation. That need was justified by the lack of activity up to then and by the potential for activity in the future. It will still be a high priority with us.
Did the Minister upgrade the level of the discussions? In what way does he believe that he gave a new impetus to these negotiations to make them worth-while and effective?
By the analysis in the first instance at official level at home matched by an analysis on the other side.
Was that not done before?
Not to the extent that it is now being done. They were also upgraded by the identification of areas over a wide range.
Was that not done before?
Not to the extent that it is now being done. The discussions were upgraded also by what will be seen to be fairly effective action in the near future.
Does the Minister maintain that nothing was done before this?
No.
Why was the cross-Border study in relation to the Donegal and Derry area, which has been available in his Department since June of last year, leaked to all the newspapers in the country, flogged around Brussels publicly so that the information available in it is now known to every person and the Minister's Department have done nothing about it?
This is a separate question.
It is not.
It is not a question. The Deputy is making a speech. He can have other opportunities to raise this matter.
What have we Question Time for?
I am waiting a long time for a question.
When will the Minister announce the £12½ million contribution of the Government——
The Deputy could ask that question without making a speech.
I will have to ask you to protect me because every time I get on my feet to ask a supplementary question I am stopped.
The Deputy should ask a question.
I have not finished my question. I am asking the Minister if he maintains that nothing was done during his absence or that of his Government.
I did not say it.
That is what he implied. If he can explain that the cross-Border studies planned £50 million expenditure in the Border areas, why have his Government not stated that they preferred to put forward their contribution of £12½ million?
The Deputy will please resume his seat. I am allowing Deputy Quinn to ask a supplementary question.
Why is the Minister putting up that sort of argument?
The Deputy himself has announced it unilaterally on a number of occasions but his announcement is not effective.
Everybody has announced it but me.
(Interruptions.)
I am calling for a little respect from the House.
If the Deputy thinks that his announcement will get the operation under way, he is deluded. He can be assured that when the announcement is made it will be after the agreement has been reached. We are working very expeditiously towards that agreement.
After 12 months.
Could the Minister say to the House to what extent the review of cross-Border relations and so on was extended and improved by him since September 1977, he having admitted already that there were such discussions prior to September 1977?
This seems to be the same question repeated.
The question is repeated because the answer was not given when the question was first asked.
The Chair will not comment.
If I were to give a detailed reply to that I would have to cover a whole range of activities and that would take a considerable time. I can make the answer available to the Deputy,
Does it concern new activities?
Yes. I have no intention of trying to conceal this information from the House. The Deputy will appreciate that it might be more appropriate that I announce decisions to the House at the appropriate time. I ask the House on that basis to have a little understanding at the moment.
(Interruptions.)
I am calling the next question.