asked the Taoiseach which member of the Government and which Government Department now has responsibility for policy on Northern Ireland.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Policy on Northern Ireland .
2.
: In accordance with the position over the years, policy on Northern Ireland is primarily the responsibility of the Taoiseach. In so far as policy affects relations with the British Government it is also, of course, the concern of the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
: If the Taoiseach can answer any question these days in simple and direct terms, will he answer my question about who, what member of the Government, is directly and immediately responsible for Northern policy, and what Department has responsibility for administering that policy?
: As I have said, in accordance with the position over the years policy on Northern Ireland is primarily the responsibility of the Taoiseach. The Department of Foreign Affairs obviously have concern with Northern Ireland matters because these matters relate to our relations with another Government. Moreover, the Deputy will be aware that the Department discharge operational functions in relation to Northern Ireland matters, such as, for example, contacts in Northern Ireland, publicising the Government's policy on Northern Ireland abroad, presenting policies to other Governments, etc. As there is such close interaction between policy on Northern Ireland and Irish-British relations, naturally over the years under successive Governments the closest co-operation between the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and their Departments has been maintained. That position continues, but responsibility for Northern Ireland policy remains with the Taoiseach as it has for as long as I can remember.
: Will the Taoiseach acknowledge that all the staff dealing with Northern Ireland policy are now in the Department of Foreign Affairs and that meetings in connection with Northern Ireland are held in the Department of Foreign Affairs and presided over by the Minister for Foreign Affairs? Does this not indicate quite clearly that Northern Ireland affairs now are clearly and directly the responsibility of the Minister for Foreign Affairs? Furthermore, does this not indicate clearly that a number of people in his party and in the Government are not prepared to trust him with the administration of foreign affairs?
: The position is that the responsibility rests with the Taoiseach. As I pointed out, the operational aspects have always been undertaken by the Department of Foreign Affairs. It is true that in the past, under the past administration, a non-civil servant in the Taoiseach's Department played a certain role in these matters which I personally would not regard as constructive. That is obviously a matter of opinion, though that view was held. However, the position has been, apart from that, that the operational aspects——
: Did the Taoiseach refer to a "known civil servant"?
: I specifically said "non-civil servant". The operational aspects always have been undertaken by the Department of Foreign Affairs, as I am well aware from my experience as Minister of the contacts undertaken by that Department. There has been clear functional delineation between the Taoiseach's responsibility and the responsibility of the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Of course the closest co-operation is maintained between the Taoiseach's Department and the Minister for Foreign Affairs upon which the effective operation of Northern Ireland policy depends.