asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline Government policy in relation to the proposed Irish rugby tour of South Africa; and the measures he proposes taking to ensure compliance of the IRFU with this policy.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - South African Rugby Tour.
2.
I understand that the Irish Rugby Football Union have not yet taken a decision on the 1981 tour. I have already been in contact with them and I have expressed to them the Government's serious concern on the issue, explaining the reasons why the Government could not approve of such a tour.
The Government's policy regarding sporting contacts with South Africa is well known. As I indicated in my reply to Deputy Desmond on 23 October, the Government remain firmly opposed to South Africa's apartheid policies and they consider that the Olympic principle of non-discrimination in sport cannot be satisfactorily observed in a situation in which the local organisation of many sports in South Africa, including rugby football, continues to be largely determined by the organisation of society on a racially segregated basis. A tour in breach of the Olympic principle would be seen in many quarters, in South Africa and in other countries, as evidence of a lack of concern regarding the continued application of racial segregation in rugby football in South Africa.
The Government would, of course, be concerned about its potentially serious consequences were the 1981 tour — the first tour by a representative Irish side in recent years — to go ahead. However I do not wish, at this point, to anticipate the IRFU's decision, which I still hope will be against a tour.
I am glad that the Minister has taken such a strong line on the policy the Government have held for some years. I should like to ask the Minister if he will make sure that there is no question of allowing leave of absence to people who are staff of Government Departments or over whom we have authority to go on this tour. I should like to ask him — my suggestion is a very distasteful device and I put it forward only with great reluctance — if he would consider as a last resort withdrawing the passports of those who decide to travel if the tour goes ahead? I should like to ask the Minister to circulate an excellent speech by our representative to the United Nations in which he outlined in words of one syllable, something which is needed with the kind of people who would go to South Africa, the case against apartheid. Would the Minister consider sending a copy of that speech to those who are thinking of going to South Africa?
I share the Deputy's distaste for the apartheid policy in South Africa and the whole aspect of racial discrimination being imposed in a drastic manner by the South African Government. I do not propose in our democracy that we should imitate their methods by withdrawing passports from individual citizens who wish to use them, as they are entitled to do, as free people in a free society, much as I disprove of them going on this organised basis to South Africa. I have expressed that view to the executive committee of their organisation, the IRFU. Individual Irish citizens are free to travel abroad on Irish passports and I do not propose to interfere with that basic democratic right. As far as State employees who may be selected are concerned, no special leave facilities will be granted. I will take into account what the Deputy has said with regard to the distribution of the speech by our permanent representative to the UN.
It was an excellent speech.
I should like to record the total support of the Opposition for the Minister's stand on this issue and our feeling that this proposal amounts to crazy lunacy in the present international situation.
I am grateful to the House for that unanimous expression.