asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government are now prepared to officially approve the decision of the Irish Olympic Committee that our athletes will participate in the Moscow Olympic Games.
10.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Moscow Olympic Games.
9.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government have made a decision on their attitude to the Moscow Olympics and if he will make an up-to-date statement on the matter.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 10 together.
As I told the Dáil in reply to questions on 21 February, the Government are, as a matter of policy, keeping this matter under active review.
Since then the Taoiseach, in the course of a speech on 18 April, has indicated that the question of whether Ireland should take part in the Moscow Olympic Games is ultimately one for the Irish Olympic Committee to decide. The date by which the Committee will have to make their response to the invitation to attend the Moscow Games is 24 May and, in the meantime, as the Taoiseach also pointed out, the Committee will no doubt take account of the continuing developments in the situation including the extent to which the established character of the games as a major world sports occasion and as a symbol of peaceful competition between nations is likely to be maintained and upheld.
In view of the answers given last Tuesday by the Minister for Education to a similar type of question about the Olympics when he said that, if a direct question were asked about the Government's attitude to the Olympic Games he would answer it, could the Minister for Foreign Affairs now say if the Government are in favour of an Irish Olympic team going to the Moscow Olympics?
I will not answer a direct question at this time. This matter is open for decision until 24 May.
In view of the conflicting statements which have emanated from the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister of State at the Department of Education on television programmes and in debates, could we now know the attitude of the Government to Irish participation in the Olympic Games?
The Minister has answered that question.
I have answered that question rather fully.
I do not think he has.
Has the Minister seen the statement by the Minister of State at the Department of the Public Service that athletes the world over were being made pawns in a political game over which they had no control and, but for the coming election in the United States, attendance at the Olympic Games would not be an issue at all? Does this represent Government policy?
The fact of the matter is that many nations are making pawns of the Olympic Games. The initial difficulties about the Olympic Games have been caused by the host country to the games who invaded Afghanistan and suppressed that nation without any warning and in a most brutal and savage manner.
Deputies
Hear, hear.
Does that represent Government policy?
(Cavan-Monaghan): I am pleased that the Minister seems to be coming down on the side of not going to the Olympic Games.
I did not say that.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Might I suggest to the Minister that this small country and this Government should not trail after the rest of the world? Might I suggest to the Minister——
A question, Deputy. A suggestion is not a question.
(Cavan-Monaghan): It is.
It is not. The Deputy is making a mockery of Question Time.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Might I suggest to the Minister through the Chair——
The Chair is tired of speeches preceding questions.
(Cavan-Monaghan):——that we should now make our position clear on this issue as a small nation, and protest against the invasion of a small peaceful nation by now deciding not to go to the Olympics?
This matter will be discussed at a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Community in Brussels next Monday and Tuesday. I will be at that meeting. What we are anxious to achieve is that the Community move together as much as possible on this and other matters concerning political co-operation. It is very important to strengthen the Community and to strengthen Community decisions in the political arena.
(Cavan-Monaghan): I suggest to the Minister that we should give a lead as a small country.
Is the Minister aware that the majority of democracies and peace-loving nations are against sending their athletes to Moscow? Is he further aware that, if they are allowed to go, they will be made pawns in a political game by the Russians just as Hitler did in 1936? Does he not think it is in this nation's interest to advise them or ask them not to attend the Olympic Games?
They will be made pawns by the Americans instead.
The Americans are a peace-loving nation in comparison with the Russians.
From the differing views being proffered one sees in this House the difficulties in the matter, but the Government, in concert with other Governments within the Community, will make a decision before 24 May.
What views will the Minister be putting forward at the meeting of Foreign Ministers on the Irish attitude to participation in the Olympic Games?
I do not intend to proffer my views here. I will put forward my views at the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers.
Why not here? This is the national Parliament?
The Irish people made that decision in 1972 by 83 per cent and that is democratic enough for me. We decided to go into a Community and participate with the other nations in that Community.
The Minister is treating us with contempt.
Will the Minister tell the House that the clear statements made by the Ministers of State at the Department of Education and at the Department of the Public Service in relation to the attendance of our athletes at Moscow has now been changed by the Government to one of "do not know"?
We are getting into an area of controversy.
Will the Minister repudiate those statements and inform the House when a final decision will be made on this matter?
This political matter is one for the Department of Foreign Affairs. It is not a matter which concerns this or that sport. Now that it has become a political matter the whole situation has changed.
Why was it left to the IOC if it is a political matter?
(Cavan-Monaghan): In view of the Minister's statement that this will be left to a meeting of the EEC countries, I should like to ask the Minister to use his influence to try to persuade other countries not to go to the Olympics.
That is a separate matter.
My influence will always be exercised in the right direction.
The Minister can use his influence on his colleagues, Deputies Tunney and Calleary, to get them to keep their mouths quiet?