I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 3 together.
The Resolution adopted unanimously by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe highlights widespread international concern at harassment of members of the Jewish community in the USSR and at the dramatic drop in the number of exit visas granted to Soviet Jews in recent years.
Successive Irish Governments have expressed concern about the Soviet Government's treatment of its Jewish citizens, which is contrary to the letter and spirit of the Helsinki Final Act. The harassments suffered by members of the Jewish community in the Soviet Union are well documented, not least in the report on the situation of the Jewish community in the Soviet Union which forms the basis for the resolution adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to which the Deputy's question refers. Difficulties faced by Soviet Jews include the increasing reluctance of the Soviet authorities to grant exit visas, harassment and possible imprisonment of would-be emigrants, concerted moves against cultural seminars organised in Jewish circles and restrictive official attitudes to the teaching of Hebrew.
The Government will express their concern about this situation on all appropriate occasions and will continue to press for the full implementation of all the provisions of the Helsinki Final Act by all States participating in the CSCE. The Irish Delegation at the CSCE Review Meeting in Madrid have in numerous statements called attention to violations of the humanitarian provisions of the Final Act by the Soviet Union and, together with our partners in the European Community, has criticised the restrictive attitude of the Soviet Union towards the granting of exit visas. The delegation will continue to press for the full discharge by participating States of responsibilities undertaken in signing the Final Act. In line with this approach the Irish Delegation have co-sponsored amendments to a draft concluding document at present under discussion at Madrid, which aim at the incorporation in the concluding document of a commitment by participating States to encourage all efforts to implement the Final Act and to ensure the freedom of individuals and groups to express their views concerning the respect shown by Governments, including their own, in law and practice, for the Final Act.
As regards representations to the Soviet Union, we are ready to convey our views bilaterally in circumstances where this would seem appropriate and effective. It is my view, however, that bilateral representations are best used sparingly if they are to be effective and that, in general, our concerns are most effectively conveyed through multilateral channels like the CSCE.
