asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government made representations to the British Government regarding the eligibility of Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas for membership of the proposed Northern Ireland Assembly; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers - Northern Ireland Assembly.
26.
Eligibility for membership of the proposed Northern Ireland Assembly is subject to the terms of the Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act, 1975. The relevant provision states that a person is disqualified from membership of the Northern Ireland Assembly who for the time being "is a member of the Legislature of any country or territory outside the Commonwealth". Through contacts at the official level we ensured that the British authorities were in no doubt about our views on the political consequences of a provision which resulted in the disqualification of a Member of the Oireachtas.
Having made those views known to the representatives of the British Government as part of the totality of the relations between the two islands, can the Minister indicate what response the British authorities gave to the representations?
I understand the British Government are at present considering the situation. Until they have a report back from the group established to consider the matter they are not offering any comment.
I am assuming that representations were made by the Department during the passage of the legislation through the British Houses of Parliament. Can the Minister indicate the reasons, if any, the British Government gave to the Irish Government for not acceding to the representations made by the Irish Government in the context of the Northern Ireland elections?
I have not got in my brief details of the representations made when the matter was in the British House of Commons, but if the Deputy wants it I can get the information for him.
I do not wish to argue with the Minister, but surely somewhere in his brief in regard to Question No. 26 there is some background information to the effect that representations were made. Presumably they were made when the matter was before the British Houses of Parliament and presumably there is something in the brief to indicate what the position of the British Government is.
I am afraid there is not. I will try to oblige the Deputy by getting the information for him.
If there is nothing in the brief it is no wonder the Minister was not successful.