asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the further measures which will be proposed for adoption by Ireland at the Madrid review of the Helsinki Final Act.
19.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Implementation of Helsinki Agreement.
18.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that there has been a substantial reduction in the number of exit visas being granted by the Soviet Union to Soviet Jews; if he has satisfied himself that this is in accordance with the provisions of the Helsinki Agreement; and, if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.
20.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the special position of Refuzniks, viz Jews who have applied for emigration from the Soviet Union but who have had their applications refused, and in particular Refuzniks who have been refused exit visas over five years ago, who have, in the process of applying for and being refused visas, lost their jobs and found that their children were expelled from higher education institutions; that they constitute a unique and special problem within the context of East/West relations in terms of human rights; if he proposes to take any action directly with the Soviet Union and through the process of European Political Co-operation to have the plight of these people raised directly and immediately with the Soviet Union and if he will make a statement on the matter.
21.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that the teaching of Hebrew in the Soviet Union is banned; that individuals wishing to speak Hebrew on a private and individual basis are being harassed by the Soviet Government; and if he will indicate the action he proposes to take, within the context of the Helsinki Agreement, to raise this matter with the Soviet Union.
22.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has satisfied himself that the provisions concerning cultural freedom as set out in the Helsinki Agreement are being adequately observed in the Soviet Union in relation to Jewish culture; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 to 22, inclusive, together.
Our preparations for the Madrid review conference have been under way for some time and will continue until the opening of the main conference in November of this year. A major part of our preparatory work is being carried out jointly with our partners in the European Community. In particular we feel that the area of new proposals for improved implementation of the Final Act lends itself to a joint approach by the Nine. Among other considerations, proposals put forward by the Nine are likely to carry more weight than proposals with a single sponsor. We are therefore concentrating on working out with our partners a series of proposals which aim at improving, and setting more concrete standards for, implementation of the Final Act.
In the Basket I area the Nine are considering supporting the French proposal for a conference on disarmament in Europe and in Basket II, proposals on industrial co-operation and economic and commercial information are among those being considered. The proposals will also address the Basket III areas of human contacts, cultural questions and availability of information, including working conditions of journalists.
The Nine will press for improvements in the granting of exit visas where, in the case of Soviet Jewish applicants, a reduction in the number of visas granted has been apparent in recent months. In this connection I am aware of the position of the Rufuzniks and this problem will be addressed in the proposals. The Final Act contains a number of important provisions relating to cultural and educational matters, including the study of languages, which affect Soviet Jews and numerous other minorities, and the Nine will address these areas also in Madrid.
The Nine have already carried out a substantial amount of work on these proposals for improved implementation of the Final Act, but the proposals will not be finalised until much nearer the opening date of the conference.
I appreciate the Minister's long and detailed reply. In relation to Question No. 20, which has an immediacy about it, have the Government the intention to raise directly with the new Soviet Ambassador here their concern—if they have concern—for the plight of the 1,000 or so members of the Refusniks' families?
Yes, I will be taking up that matter. Yesterday I met the women's committee concerned with the problems of Jews in the Soviet Union and had a very constructive discussion with them lasting an hour and a half. I assured them that I would do as the Deputy suggests.