asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government which is recognised by him as being the legitimate Government of (a) Uganda, (b) Zimbabwe-Rhodesia, (c) Taiwan, (d) China, (e) Iran and (f) Namibia.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Recognition of Governments.
22.
I should, perhaps, first point out that it is Irish practice to recognise States rather than governments and the question of formal recognition of governments does not normally arise. In accordance with international practice, recognition is extended only to sovereign states.
Ireland recognises the states of Uganda, Iran and China. As regards relations with the Governments of Uganda and Iran, I would refer the Deputy to Question No. 23 of 8 March and Question No. 6 of 10 May. As regards China, the Government recognise the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal Government of China and have recently agreed to establish diplomatic relations with that Government. Ireland does not recognise the state of Taiwan.
As regards Rhodesia and Namibia, Ireland has supported the right of the peoples of these territories to exercise self-determination and achieve independence on the basis of majority rule. The United Nations Security Council has affirmed the primary responsibility of the United Kingdom Government, as administering power, to bring this about in Southern Rhodesia. In accordance with decisions of the Security Council, the Government do not extend recognition to the Salisbury regime. As regards Namibia, Ireland recognises the special responsibility of the United Nations for Namibia, following the termination by the General Assembly in 1966 of South Africa's mandate over the territory, a decision which Ireland supported.