asked the Taoiseach the representations that were made to the Government by or on behalf of the British Government or the Northern Ireland Office, or by any other British or Northern Ireland interest, following the adoption by a group of the European Parliament of a resolution in relation to Northern Ireland; and the action that he, or any person authorised by him, took subsequently to influence or attempt to influence actions of members of the European Parliament.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Northern Ireland Resolution.
1.
No representations as suggested by the Deputy were received by me or by the Government.
While I must accept the assurance that the representations were not made to the Taoiseach by the British Government, is he aware that such was the case made to Fine Gael Deputies in the European Parliament who conveyed it to their colleagues in the Christian Democrat group? Is he aware that such representations have been made by the British Government and were conveyed by a high official in the Department of the Taoiseach to the Deputies concerned who promptly on the following day withdrew the motion which they had mooted and moved within the Christian Democrat group asking the European Parliament to interest itself actively in the Northern Ireland problem?
Beyond the facts of the deferment of the motion I am not aware of any of the other things alleged by the Deputy none of which bear any relationship to anything that has come to my notice.
Can the Taoiseach state here categorically that this contact was not made by a high official in his Department with his colleagues in the Fine Gael Party who are members of the European Parliament and that it was not on that basis that the motion was withdrawn on the following day, 14 October?
I am not aware of any contact of that kind. I have my own contact from time to time with members of the European Parliament. I am not aware of any other contacts.
I must accept the Taoiseach's word. Is he aware that the case was made by Deputy McCartin and Deputy Ryan to their colleagues in the Christian Democrat group, to other colleagues in the European Parliament and to the press in Strasbourg that such was the case and that on that basis the motion to which the Christian Democrat group had subscribed unanimously on 13 October was withdrawn on 14 October?
I am not so aware. I would be rather astonished to hear that anything of the kind had happened because there was no point of any kind to be discussed. I do not know what the Deputy is talking about.
I have to accept what goes on between the Taoiseach and the British Government. All I am asking the Taoiseach at this stage, in order to get this matter on the record with regard to the Taoiseach's credibility, is whether he is aware that a high official of his Department, recently transferred from the Department of Foreign Affairs — that indicates the person to the Taoiseach — rang the Deputies of the Fine Gael Party who are MEPs, in particular Deputy McCartin and Deputy Ryan who received that call and that message from the Taoiseach that I have just adumbrated, and that such was the case they made to their colleagues in the European Parliament, to the Christian Democrat group and to the press, and that this fact which I have mentioned was widely reported by the press in Strasbourg.
I am not so aware and I find it hard to conceive that any official in my Department would be communicating any messages of that kind alleging a statement of the British Government when none took place.
This matter touches on the credibility of assurances given by Deputies of the Taoiseach's party in Strasbourg. Would the Taoiseach investigate the matter and ascertain if such a communication by telephone was made by a very high official in his Department on his behalf to the Deputies concerned whom I have mentioned?
I am perfectly satisfied that nothing of the kind took place. I do not know what the Deputy is talking about. I am afraid he does not either.
This is an indication of the sort of credibility that is hanging around the Taoiseach's neck like an albatross.