Vol. 316 No. 13
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is proposed to join the Conference of Non-aligned Nations and to participate in this increasingly important world-wide organisation of neutral countries having regard to Ireland's official position of neutrality.
5.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government have reconsidered their attitude to becoming associated with the non-aligned groups of nations.
6.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if an Irish observer or official from the Department of the Environment was present in an official or semi-official capacity at the Conference of Non-aligned Nations in Havana in September 1979.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 6, inclusive, together.
Ireland was not represented at the Conference of the Heads of State or Government of the Non-aligned Movement in Havana in early September. Participation in the meetings of the non-aligned can take place at various levels—full participation, observer status and guest status. Ireland has never received an invitation to participate at meetings of the non-aligned countries at any of these levels.
Ireland has considerable sympathy with the basic objectives of the Non-aligned Movement and we have followed with deep interest developments within the movement over the 18 years since its foundation. Though I do not foresee Ireland becoming a member of the Non-aligned Movement we will continue to maintain and to develop our relationship with individual members of the movement through frequent bilateral contacts and contacts at various international fora. I might add that I have had frequent ministerial contact in Ireland and elsewhere with many Governments who are members of the Non-aligned Movement. Through these contacts I have been able to establish a fruitful understanding and I have been kept fully abreast of the aims and issues that arise in the movement.
Would the Minister not agree that the onus is on us to seek membership, be it in an official, observer or full capacity of this group of nations and that, therefore, the reply that since we were not invited we did not attend is somewhat inadequate? Would the Minister not further agree that in the light of our developing bilateral aid programme—which the Minister has pursued and which is welcomed by this party—there is an added dimension to the relevance of his country as the only neutral State within the EEC becoming formally aligned to the non-aligned nations, and that it would enhance our position internationally and particularly with regard to the North-South dialogue?
I am quite satisfied that there is not only an awareness of but respect for Ireland's position in relation to these non-aligned movements, particularly those of them who have members in Africa. I am quite satisfied that that respect was in no small way a contributory factor in the difficult negotiations we had to conclude in Lomé, for instance. I am equally satisfied that the regular contact we have had with Governments in India, Tanzania, Zambia, across the whole range of the non-aligned movement, showed that as between us and the movement, or most members of it, not all of them, there is a common respect and understanding and that we are in no way compromised by lack of membership.
Would the Minister reply to the implied question by Deputy Quinn: is an invitation needed to join the non-aligned countries? Secondly, would the Minister not agree that while obviously there are strong leanings in both directions to NATO and the Warsaw Pact in the number of countries involved, a case could be made for suggesting that we could be more influential within the non-aligned countries than being outside?
If I may take the point the Deputy has just made in relation to the leanings that some might have, I should like to stress particularly that the fact that one is not a member is in no way to suggest the independence of one's position or to call it into question because—as the Deputy in fact has implied—there are members within the movement certainly who would not pursue the same independence of policy as we do. I am very conscious of the aims of that movement. Secondly, before one attends a conference one must be invited to attend and we were not so invited. Similarly it would apply to terms of membership. But, having said that, Ireland is quite satisfied that it is pursuing a consistent role in the interests not alone of its own position but of relations with various groups of countries and perhaps also the bridge we can build between, and nobody elsewhere has ever questioned that.
I do not think there is any specific invitation existing on the records of this House or anywhere in this country inviting us to join the EEC. Yet we joined the EEC. In view of the Minister's declared position on many occasions in relation to neutrality, would he be prepared now to take steps to ensure that there will be an Irish Government representative at the next conference of the non-aligned nations?
I want to repeat again that I do not think that membership of this movement—and there must be some clear cases of which the Deputy is aware—is, itself, evidence of neutrality in one way or another.
Far from it.
Therefore, if we want to fulfil our position we do not have to join that movement.
Then it is a case of having your cake and eating it.
If we get an invitation to go to the next conference will we go?
Any invitations that are issued from any international organisation will be considered in the light of the circumstances at that time.
