asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will confirm that Ireland abstained on a recent UN vote on the question of an IMF loan to South Africa; if he will confirm that Ireland's representation at the IMF will oppose the loan application; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Written Answers. - UN Vote on IMF Loan.
11.
Ireland abstained in the recent vote at the UN General Assembly on the Resolution requesting the IMF to refrain from granting any credits or other assistance to South Africa. The reasons for our abstention were set out by our Permanent Representative to the UN in an explanation of vote, copies of which I have arranged to have placed in the Dáil Library. This states clearly the Government's opposition to the apartheid policies of South Africa and recalls the position taken by the Government at the UN in support of financial sanctions against South Africa. However, it points out that even though we feel strongly about South Africa's apartheid policies we are obliged to uphold the independent competence of the IMF, an international body with its own statutes and rules.
Our position of abstention was a procedural one, designed to safeguard the independence of the IMF, and was not intended to prejudge the attitude the Government would adopt on South Africa's application to the IMF for assistance totalling approximately US $1 billion. As the Deputy will be aware that application is due for consideration at the IMF Executive Board today.
Ireland is not represented separately on the executive board and we do not have a separate national vote. We are represented through a constituency headed by Canada and which also includes eight Caribbean countries. Discussions are at present taking place within this group on the position to be adopted on South Africa's application. Should the executive director for the group decide to vote in favour of the application it is the Government's intention to ask him to make a statement on our behalf to the executive board referring to Ireland's support for UN Resolutions aimed at the cessation of financial loans to South Africa; noting that Ireland supports the principle that the IMF should operate on the basis of the criteria set out in its Articles of Agreement; expressing the Government's strong reservations about the granting of the proposed credits to South Africa; and indicating that Ireland does not support South Africa's application.