asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the alleged deal involving the simultaneous decisions of the United Nations Human Rights Commission of refusing a debate on a British proposal for an inquiry into the banishment of Dr. Sakharov and a Russian proposal for an inquiry into allegations of British misconduct in Northern Ireland and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - UN Human Rights Commission Decision.
27.
I am aware that the case of Dr. Sakharov and aspects of the situation in Northern Ireland were raised at the recent session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in Geneva. Ireland is not a member of the commission which is composed of representatives of 43 states, but officers of my Department acted as observers at the public proceedings of the commission.
I understand that at the start of the session a proposal was made that the commission send a telegram to the Soviet authorities requesting information about Dr. Sakharov. This did not receive the support of the commission which, instead, decided to take up the question under the agenda item dealing with "Questions of the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in any part of the world."
Later, during the discussion of this item the British delegation formally placed before the commission the draft of a decision relating to the case of Dr. Sakharov.
In the course of the discussion under the item, the Soviet delegation raised the question of human rights in Northern Ireland. At a later meeting they formally introduced a draft resolution relating to Northern Ireland. At the same meeting the commission agreed without a vote to defer consideration of the British draft decision relating to the Sakharov case but to consider the question as a priority at its session next year. Later in the meeting the Soviet delegation withdrew their draft resolution on Northern Ireland.
I am aware that there has been some comment to the effect that there was a deal between the two delegations. I have no knowledge that this was the case and, in the absence of any statement by either delegation in this regard. I do not think that I should speculate in the matter.
In the light of the information that is available will the Minister comment on the fact that there appears to have been a deal between the British and the Soviet authorities in this matter?
These things go on. I cannot say whether there was or not.
Does the Minister intend letting the matter lie at that?
I will inquire further into it.