asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the attitude of the Government to the question of granting the Palestinian Liberation Movement the right to a homeland of their own.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Palestinian Liberation Organisation.
9.
Ireland, together with our partners in the EEC, has recognised that in the establishment of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East account must be taken of the legitimate rights of the Palestinians, including their right to a homeland.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs in his address on behalf of the nine EEC countries to the United Nations on 25 September last, a copy of which he has placed in the Library of the Houses of the Oireachtas, reiterated this point of view and stated further that the Palestinian people are entitled, within the framework set by a peace settlement, to exercise their right to determine their own future as a people. He also stressed their right, through their representatives, to play their full part in the negotiation of a comprehensive settlement.
10.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he proposes to raise the question of EC relations with the Arab world and the PLO specifically at the forthcoming meeting of the European Council, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
As the Deputy may be aware, matters to be discussed at meetings of the European Council are subject to the agreement of all the EEC member states. It is accordingly not possible to say at this juncture what items may be discussed at the meeting.
Relations with the Arab world are of course a matter of considerable importance to the European Community and its member states and the Nine are anxious to advance these relations in any way possible.
Would the Minister agree that the provision of a homeland for the Palestinian people should be a major cornerstone in any foreign policy of any EEC country? What has been done during our Presidency of the EEC to help to bring that about?
That would arise on Question No. 11.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs made Ireland's position quite clear in an address to the United Nations on 25 September.
I am very conscious of what the Minister said to the United Nations. What positive steps have the Government taken to influence the situation whereby a homeland for the Palestinian people would be more likely——
Question No. 11 refers to a homeland not Question No. 10.
11.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland officially recognises the PLO and the attitude of the Government to Palestinian claims to a homeland on the West Bank and Gaza.
Ireland extends official recognition to states. The question of giving official recognition to the PLO does not accordingly arise.
In his address to the UN General Assembly on 25 September 1979 the Minister for Foreign Affairs on behalf of the Nine member states, stated that a just and comprehensive settlement in the Middle East must respect the legitimate rights of the Palestinians, including their right to a homeland.
With what body, at diplomatic level, are discussions taking place, bearing in mind the Palestinian's need to be represented by somebody at such discussions?
The Government maintain contact with all organisations concerned with providing a homeland for the Palestinian people and that includes the PLO.
Could I clarify a point? The Minister said that the Government's intention was——
To maintain contact with all people concerned with providing a homeland for the Palestinian people and that includes the PLO.
Could the Minister explain the difference between having contact, which presumably involves having discussions with the PLO, and recognising the body with whom he would be having discussions?
There are diplomatic ways of building up contacts and maintaining contacts. The House can be assured that, as far as Ireland is concerned, both as a country and as holding the Presidency of the EEC, we are strongly in favour of the provision of a homeland for the Palestinians.
While the Minister has indicated that Ireland is in favour of the establishment of a Palestinian homeland, have we an interest in the matter in view of the fact that we have a contingent in the Middle East? Can the Minister indicate what steps have been taken by the EEC to promote the cause of the establishment of a Palestinian homeland, bearing in mind our Presidency of the EEC?
Every diplomatic initiative that can be taken is being taken by the Minister.
May I ask the Minister——
The Deputy has already asked four supplementaries.
With respect, I asked for information.
The Chair must have some discretion in the matter.
I appreciate that, but surely a Deputy who puts down a question is entitled to information.
Four supplementaries are too many.
I have been told by the Minister that every diplomatic initiative is being taken. I asked the Minister what exactly was being done. Could the Minister outline the steps that have been taken since Ireland assumed the Presidency and the steps proposed?
As far as we are concerned, both in our capacity as a country and in our capacity of holding the Presidency of the EEC, every effort has been made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs to bring about a settlement in the Middle East which would embody a homeland for the Palestinians.
What effort is he making?
I am calling Deputy Mitchell.
I am not getting an answer from the Minister.
The Chair is not responsible for the answers.
I accept that the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry is not in a position to have first-hand knowledge of what is happening in this area, but would he agree that the Middle East situation threatens the equilibrium of the world and that therefore the Palestinian question is a serious one? The Minister has not been able to tell Deputy O'Keeffe what steps the Government have taken to pursue the establishment of a homeland for the Palestinians. Could he tell us if, during the presence in Dublin this week of the Israeli Ambassador, the views of the Government were made known to him?
That is a separate question.
The Government have already called on the State of Israel to withdraw from the territories occupied during the 1967 war, which include the West Bank and Gaza. These are possible areas for the future homeland of the Palestinians.
In view of the disclosure which he has made to the House regarding the contact made by the Government with the PLO, would the Minister give the House a formal assurance that such conduct does not in any way invalidate the commitment of this State to the continued existence of the Israeli State? One of the aims of the PLO is to obliterate the State of Israel.
The integrity of the State of Israel must be a fundamental feature of any settlement of the Middle East situation.