asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will consider an embargo on trade with South Africa in view of the United Nations' declaration of 1982 as the International Year of Mobilisation for Sanctions against South Africa.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Trade with South Africa.
27.
Ireland supported the designation of 1982 as the International Year of Mobilisation for Sanctions against South Africa when the United Nations General Assembly considered a resolution on this last year. In conformity with this attitude the Government will continue to press, both in the UN General Assembly and in the Security Council, for co-ordinated international action which will provide effective pressure on South Africa to abandon apartheid.
At the national level it is already Government policy not to promote trade or other economic relations with South Africa. The Government do not consider that a unilateral ban on Ireland's trade with South Africa would be appropriate at present, or that it would be likely to achieve its objective of influencing the South African Government to end apartheid.
The Government's view remains that, if such pressure is to be effective, it is important that there should be international agreement on the nature, scope and implementation of such measures. The Government have therefore supported, at the United Nations, calls for the adoption of selective measures, such as the strengthening of the existing arms embargo, the introduction of an oil embargo, and a ban on new investment in South Africa. They will continue in their efforts to secure international agreement on the adoption of effective measures. They will consider further, in the context of the International Year of the Mobilisation for Sanctions against South Africa, the possibilities of other action that may be needed to ensure that Ireland's opposition to apartheid is both as widely known and as effective as possible.
I wish to have written replies to Questions Nos. 49, 55 and 56.
I wish to have a written reply to each question in my name on today's order paper.
I wish to have a written reply to Question No. 144.
The remaining questions will appear on next Tuesday's Order Paper.