asked the Taoiseach the matters he expects to discuss with the American Vice-President, Mr. George Bush, when he visits Ireland at the end of June.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Discussion with American Vice-President.
2.
On the occasion of his tour of a number of European capitals, the Vice-President of the United States, Mr. George Bush will, at my invitation, pay a one-day official visit to this country on 5 July next. As the Deputy will be aware, it is not the practice to disclose, in advance, details of discussions of this nature. They will cover in the normal way matters of mutual interest between our two countries.
Is the Taoiseach not aware of the very great publicity being given to the visit of the American Vice-President to Europe and the fact that Mr. Bush is coming to Europe principally to promote America's nuclear policy?
I am aware, and I presume the Deputy is also aware, of the White House——
We have great difficulty in hearing what the Taoiseach is saying.
I am sorry. I presume the Deputy is aware that the White House press release about this visit to six European countries distinguishes two different aspect of the trip, the extension to Norway, Denmark and Iceland of consultations on issues affecting the North Atlantic Alliance and quite separately the re-affirmation of close US relations with what the statement describes as the neutral countries of Northern Europe — Sweden, Finland and Ireland.
Would the Taoiseach urge the American Administration not to deploy any new missiles in Europe at present when ex-Chancellor Schmidt of Germany says this is unnecessary and would the Taoiseach therefore express the concern of the Irish people at the continuing escalation of the nuclear arms race?
I think our concern in regard to the quesion of the nuclear policy of the North Atlantic Alliance and in regard to the escalation of the nuclear arms race and nuclear proliferation is well-known. On the question of the North Atlantic Alliance and the Warsaw Pact, it has not been the practice of the Government here to intervene in these areas since we are a neutral country.
Deputy De Rossa.
One final question.
I have called Deputy De Rossa.
Would the Taoiseach indicate if he intends to express the very widespread concern of the people with regard to US policy in Central America? They have openly admitted attempts to destabilise the Government of Nicaragua and have continued their policy of supplying arms to governments in San Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras?
As I said, it is not the practice to indicate the subjects to be discussed at meetings of this kind. In respect of the issues mentioned by the Deputy, the American Administration will, of course, be aware of the debate in this House and they are aware of the concern of successive Governments here expressed in the United Nations over the last couple of years in regard to these issues.
Successive Administrations have pursued a consistent policy of indicating our concern for a peaceful resolution of these problems.
Would the Taoiseach not agree that an invitation to the Vice-President of the United States at this time, unless it is designed clearly to express our position in relation to US policies in Central America and the siting of Cruise missiles in Europe, would be interpreted worldwide as a weakening of our neutral position?
I do not quite follow the logic of how our involving ourselves in the nuclear strategy of the alliance would strengthen our neutral position. However, I have indicated that I do not propose to go into the details of what will be discussed. I take note of what Deputies have said. The position of parties in this House on the Central American situation is, as I have said, on the record.
Will the Taoiseach, of course, express to the Vice-President that any Vice-President of the United States is always welcome in this country but will he proceed to avail of the opportunity to reaffirm this country's commitment to military neutrality particularly in view of the statement of the British Prime Minister today that apparently the British and Irish Governments are co-operating on matters of defence?
Yes, I have heard that reference on the news. I take it that in the heat of the election campaign a verbal slip on her part confused "defence" and "security" as, of course, there have been no discussions of any kind on defence, as the Deputy will, I imagine, understand. With regard to reaffirming our position I really do not think that our position as a country outside of the alliance, any alliance, has to be constantly reaffirmed as if we ourselves had any doubt about it. The very fact that the President has himself described us as one of the important neutral countries of Northern Europe in relation to this visit suggests that we could get along without these constant niggling doubts being cast on our own position by people in our own State.
Would the Taoiseach accept that it disturbs me considerably when he keeps talking of the visit of the American Vice-President in the context of the Alliance, meaning the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Alliance. He has mentioned that several times. Can I take it that the Vice-President is not coming here in any North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Alliance context but coming purely as American Vice-President to a friendly State? Does he not think that it would be worthwhile, particularly in view of his own very hazy position in this matter, to reaffirm to the Vice-President our firm commitment to military neutrality?
First of all, my position and that of my party and my Government is in no way hazy, as our policy statement at the time of the election indicated and as our record in the past has shown. In fact, if we examine the record the Opposition party has been more forthcoming on a possible change on neutrality than our party has ever been or indeed the Labour Party. With regard to reference to the alliance, any references I have made have been in two contexts. The first is reading the press release distinguishing the visit or part of the visit to the important neutral countries of Northern Europe from the visit to the alliance countries, making that clear distinction which the Deputy must have heard. Any other references I have made have been in reply to questions suggesting that we involve ourselves in the affairs of the Alliance by expressing views on nuclear strategy in relation to the Alliance and I feel that as a neutral country we could do better perhaps not to involve ourselves in that. The attempt of the Deputy to suggest that in asserting our neutral position in that way I have in some way compromised our position in regard to the Alliance is a bit ludicrous, even for him.
Question No. 3.
A Cheann Comhairle——
I have been fair with questions and I have been even generous. I am sorry, Deputy, I am not allowing any more questions.
This is an important matter which relates to nuclear strategy.
It may be but I am not allowing any more questions on it.
The fact is——
Question No. 3. Deputy De Rossa will resume his seat.