asked the Taoiseach if, in view of the fact that the Minister for Defence has publicly expressed views on Irish neutrality which are at variance with the Government's policy on neutrality, he will exercise his powers to move Deputy Cooney from the office of Minister for Defence.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Views on Neutrality.
2.
The answer to the Deputy's question is in the negative.
Is the Taoiseach satisfied that Ministers of his Government can speak publicly on matters of policy in their personal capacities? Is he satisfied that this should take place?
I am perfectly satisfied with the answers my Ministers give to questions put to them. The Minister in question made very clear the policy of the Government as set out in our Joint Programme and our commitment to a policy to maintain Ireland's neutral position outside military alliances which the Government have no intention of altering or weakening.
Does the Taoiseach agree that in the statement issued by the Minister he was not speaking for the Government and that he said that he was not speaking for the Government? He was speaking for Fine Gael apparently, and in his personal capacity. Does the Taoiseach agree that it is highly dangerous to the national interest for the Minister for Defence in particular to hold views which are totally at variance with those of the Government?
The Minister answered a question and stated the Government's position clearly. He also indicated the position of the Fine Gael Party. The Leader of the Opposition indicated the position of the Fianna Fáil Party in his formal statement on neutrality on March 11, 1981. He said that being a member of the Community we would naturally be interested in the defence of the territories embraced by the Communities. There is no question of neutrality there. He said: "In the event of the European states being organised into a full political union, we would accept the obligations, even if these included defence. We could not, and would not, wish to opt out of the obligations and aims inherent in the achievement of the ideal of European unity." That was the position of the Leader of the Opposition.
That was a different matter.
Is the Taoiseach saying the Tánaiste was wrong in saying that the Minister did not speak on behalf of the Government, that he was not expressing Government policy?
On the contrary, the Minister made a statement on behalf of the Government. When asked about the position of the Fine Gael Party he stated the position of the Fine Gael Party as the Leader of the Opposition indicated the position of the Fianna Fáil Party. Each party has its own position. As the Government, we have a joint agreed position which is set out in our Programme for Government, to which both parties are committed and which covers the lifetime of this Government and, as far as I can see, will cover the lifetimes of many Governments to come.
On this issue it is important that we have absolute clarity. Will the Taoiseach not agree that he and his Government are not helping the Irish public to achieve any degree of clarity on this matter when the Tánaiste publicly has to rebuke the Minister for Defence and reject what he said about Irish neutrality? At the same time a Fine Gael backbencher, Deputy McCartin, is continually making statements inspired by a certain wing of the Fine Gael Party along the same lines as the statement by the Minister for Defence.
(Interruptions.)
The position of the Government is perfectly clear. One newspaper misquoted Deputy Cooney in regard to one remark he made as relating to the position of the Government. The Tánaiste quite correctly clarified that. I authorised that that clarification should be endorsed if necessary by me. The position of the Government is perfectly and abundantly clear. No attempt by the other side of the House through statements on neutrality will alter the position of the Government.
We will send the Taoiseach a copy of the Leitrim Observer.
Is the Taoiseach aware that the Minister for Defence also said there is some commercial value in being neutral and that it helps Irish trading interests in the Middle East and Africa? Does he agree that it is degrading and belittling the country to assert that we are neutral for purely commercial reasons.
He did not say that, as the Deputy has just said. He did not say it was purely for that reason. He gave it as an additional consideration, as the Deputy's quotation shows.
The Taoiseach spoke about a Fine Gael policy, a Labour policy and a Government policy.
And a Fianna Fáil policy.
We are not in Government for the time being, until a few weeks time. Would the Taoiseach tell us for the information of the public which of the Ministers can speak with authority on behalf of Irish neutrality?
As far as the Government are concerned, any Minister can speak with authority. In accordance with the national plan all are capable of doing so and all will do so when the occasion arises.