asked the Taoiseach if his statement on a recent television programme (details supplied) in regard to a federal solution to the Northern Ireland problem and the possibility of different sets of social legislative provisions within that context enunciates current Government policy in regard to Northern Ireland.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Northern Ireland Policy.
2.
Government policy in relation to Northern Ireland is as outlined by me to the House on 29 May last when opening the debate on that occasion. During the course of the television programme concerned in regard to the matter to which the Deputy refers. I did no more than indicate that in my view a federal arrangement would allow for the possibility of different social legislative provisions applying in the two areas involved if that were considered necessary.
Would the Taoiseach agree that his proposal regarding two separate sets of legislative programmes in the social sphere was committing his party, the Fianna Fáil Government, for the first time to a two-nations view of the future of Ireland?
I made no such proposal.
Could the Taoiseach elaborate? What proposal did he make? He did say that he would look favourably at a situation where two separate legislative programmes in the social field could be envisaged.
I merely pointed out that one of the things that made a federal solution attractive to some people was the fact that it would enable different legislative proposals or provisions to apply in the different areas if that were considered necessary. I did not go any further than that.
Is the Taoiseach aware that his expression of that view and apparent endorsement of it has given rise to widespread concern both in Northern Ireland and here, and that the putting forward of the federal confederate solution not as a means of reassuring the Unionists against any fears they may have, but as a means of maintaining the sectarian character of our two States exemplified here by the Taoiseach's Bill on contraception——
A question, Deputy.
I find that rather an odd contribution from the Leader of the Opposition to make when in regard to the contraception legislation his party could not make up their minds where they stood.
A final supplementary from Deputy Cluskey.
Would the Taoiseach agree that his proposal in this regard represents for the first time an abandonment by us of our aspirations for the full unity of the Irish people?
An interview of that sort is not an occasion for laying down policy specifics, but I maintained specifically throughout the interview that our aspiration was for the unity of all the people of Ireland. I reiterated that on a number of occasions and I have no hesitation in reiterating it here today.
Ceist a tri, Deputy Bruton.
Would the Taoiseach accept——
We cannot continue all day on one question.
——that the disadvantage—not the advantage—of a federal solution, for which there are strong grounds in present circumstances, is that it might fail to produce the interaction between the two parts of the country which could be fruitful in producing a more liberal Ireland?
The three statutory bodies for which I have responsibility are the National Board for Science and Technology——
On a point of order——
I have already called Question No. 3. I told Deputy Cluskey that I was calling a final supplementary.
My point of order, Sir, is that I was not aware of or did not hear you calling Question No. 3.
I called it before the last two supplementaries.
Could I ask the Taoiseach a supplementary on Question No. 2?
If you allow supplementaries after calling the next question, A Leas-Cheann Comhairle, surely——
The Chair is doing his best to keep questions moving but if Deputies ignore the Chair when the Chair calls the next question it is very difficult for the Chair to continue. Does Deputy Cluskey wish a final supplementary on Question No. 2? I have already called Question No. 3 and it is being answered.
I wish a supplementary, yes.
Could I ask the Taoiseach how his view of two sets of proposals that one would be applicable to one community in Ireland, the other would be applicable to another community in Ireland, could possibly be reconciled with what I understood to be Fianna Fáil's long-standing policy and aspiration, that of Tone, of a united Ireland that would cater for Catholic, Protestant——
A brief question.
——and Dissenter?
The Deputy is attributing to me a view which I do not hold and to which I have never given any expression.
It is very——
I have called Question No. 3. The Chair has called No. 3.