Deputy Mac Giolla moved on 29 May 1984 that leave be given to introduce the Bill. The Bill was opposed by the Government. The Deputy moving the Bill may make a short statement of five minutes.
Private Members' Business. - Irish Neutrality (Nuclear Equipment) (Prohibition of Import) Bill, 1984: First Stage (Resumed).
Obviously the visit of President Reagan to Ireland has highlighted this question. I should emphasise that this Bill is not in the nature of a campaign against the Reagan visit. Rather it is something we believe should be part of our code and practice for visits of any Heads of State of similar capacity or with similar equipment and that its provisions should apply to all foreign leaders with nuclear capability. For example, if President Chernenko of the USSR had similar equipment then those provisions should apply to him or to any other Heads of State who have nuclear powers and who have such equipment with them.
When President Reagan visits this country at the weekend he will bring with him equipment capable of unleashing nuclear weapons on Europe. This consists of codes and related materials necessary for him to order the launch of nuclear missiles and bombers. The equipment is kept in a brief case which is handcuffed to the arm of the United States army officer who accompanies the President everywhere he goes. When the President stands in this Chamber on Monday next it is fair to assume that the black box, as it is called, will not be far away, that the United States army officer carrying it will certainly be within the precincts of this House.
It is fair to assume that the other nuclear powers operate similar systems. It has been said by Dr. Francis Barnaby, a British nuclear physicist, that rival powers target their nuclear weapons on the black box of opposing powers. Therefore, in all likelihood ——
On a point of order, a Cheann Comhairle, I had expected that Private Members' Time ——
I hope this will not be taken out of my time.
It is my time Deputy Mac Giolla is using at present.
There are two items ordered for Private Members' Time this evening. This will take a short time only.
I just want clarification of the position. Our motion was transferred from last evening to this evening.
Yes, but this is a Bill which takes precedence over a motion. Both items were ordered this morning, this Bill being ordered first. I do not allocate anything; I may allow perhaps three statements of five minutes each and, if the Deputy is not making one, there will be two only.
Will we be given extra time?
If the motion is not concluded this evening it will be concluded the next evening.
Ireland will be a nuclear target for the Soviet Union this coming weekend. In fact, on Monday next, probably this House will be the target if what is said is true.
We are a neutral country. Recent public opinion polls have indicated that the overwhelming majority of Irish people are committed to Irish neutrality. As a neutral country offensive equipment of this nature should not be allowed on our territory. We must defend our neutrality at all times even though that does not seem to be done by our MEPs in Europe.
In accordance with replies given to parliamentary questions in this House by the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs the Irish Government did not even raise with the United States Authorities their plans to bring this equipment of death with them. It is obvious that it would not be brought with the President unless it was intended to use it and that it will be used in Ireland if the need arises. Thus, for three days, Ireland will be the possible launching site of American nuclear weapons.
This Bill is introduced in defence of our neutrality; as is stated in the Bill itself, that is its purpose. Probably Members of NATO would have no objection to having the American alternative command centre on their territories as already they have American bases on their territories. But how can we hold up our heads with other neutral nations such as Sweden or Switzerland? Would they allow a whole military command centre — especially one capable of launching nuclear war on their territory — to be sited on their territory and still maintain that they are neutral countries?
Of course we are not suggesting that foreign Heads of State should not bring communications equipment with them to enable them to keep in touch with their capital cities — there is no problem about that and there never has been — but what we are saying is that specific equipment, which has no other purpose or role than the discharge or facilitating the discharge of these weapons of mass destruction, should not be allowed on Irish territory.
The Deputy's time is up.
I was stopped for about a minute by Deputy Leyden.
I have given injury time.
I know there are Deputies in all the other parties who are also concerned about Irish neutrality and who would be concerned about this matter. I appeal to them not to regard it as part of any anti-Reagan visit policy but as part of an effort to defend Irish neutrality. I would ask them to stand for peace and disarmament by supporting this Bill this evening.
The Government oppose leave to introduce this Bill. Very simply, this matter has nothing to do with Ireland's neutral position outside of military alliances. I am glad that Deputy Mac Giolla has said that his approach in this matter is not by way of opposition to President Reagan's visit but, if one takes this somewhat further, an invitation was issued by the leader of this country to President Reagan to come here in a similar way in which invitations are issued to other Heads of State. It is normal practice that Heads of State of nuclear nations, when they leave their countries and visit others, are accompanied by communications equipment and so on in order to keep them in touch with their capitals. If we adopted the view suggested by Deputy Mac Giolla, then essentially what he is saying is that any such people could not come here, because what will happen here is not in any way exceptional. The position is that we are merely permitting the United States President to adhere to the routines which are customary on his visits to any other state. In so doing he is not in any way calling into question our position of neutrality. Therefore, there can be no question of the Government agreeing to the introduction of this Bill. The effect of agreeing to the proposals put forward by Deputy Mac Giolla would be that President Reagan could not come to this country. May I say that it would not be just President Reagan who would be precluded from visiting here but the Head of State of any other nuclear nation would be placed in a similar position. I suggest that that would place this country in an absolutely ridiculous situation and, on that basis, we cannot accept that this Bill has any merit.
May I reiterate that the situation that will arise will not in any way affect our neutral position outside of military alliances.
Is the Bill withdrawn?
No.
I am putting the question: "That leave be given to introduce the Bill." On that question a division has been challenged. Will Deputies claiming a division please rise in their places?
Deputies Mac Giolla, De Rossa and Gregory-Independent rose in their places.
In accordance with Standing Orders, as fewer than ten Deputies have risen a division is unnecessary and I declare that the question has been lost. The motion is defeated and the Bill is rejected. The names of dissenting Members will be recorded in the Journal of the proceedings of the House.