asked the Taoiseach if he has been in communications with the British Prime Minister over the reported remarks of the Northern Secretary, Mr. Hurd, to the effect that the search for a political solution of the Northern Ireland problem faded into insignificance in comparison with the task of overcoming terrorism; and if he has made clear to the Prime Minister the futility of such a policy which runs totally counter to the general approach of the New Ireland Forum.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Northern Secretary's Remarks.
3.
No. These remarks were made by the Secretary of State when he visited the scene of the bomb attack in Newry two weeks ago, and saw the appalling destruction and loss of life there. My Government while condemning unreservedly the campaign of violence have always emphasised and will continue to emphasise our belief that any policy based on security alone will not minimise divisions in Northern Ireland but will increase and exacerbate them. Our policy is, as I have indicated, based on the New Ireland Forum Report and its statement of the requirements for lasting peace and stability.
I cannot quite understand the Taoiseach's attitude on this very narrow and specific issue. Does he agree with me that the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland stated, as I have indicated, that everything else in regard to Northern Ireland fades into insignificance compared to the task of defeating terrorism? Does he not still agree with me in the New Ireland Forum Report that that attitude is to misread the situation totally? If he so agrees, will he not make an effort to put the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland right on this fundamental matter? Does he not further agree that it is only in the context of political progress that terrorism will be defeated and that to suggest the opposite is a doctrine of futility by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland? I ask these things of the Taoiseach very sincerely. I ask him not to give me a partisan, political answer on this. I believe that if the Northern Secretary of State believes that the only thing to do is to defeat terrorism, then we are in for a long period of futility in so far as Northern Ireland is concerned.
Without necessarily choosing the exact words the Leader of the Opposition has chosen, I agree in general with the tenor of his remarks in this respect, and that indeed was what I said in my reply to the question he asked me. I add that Mr. Hurd made those remarks on the occasion of his visit to Newry Police Station after the appalling massacre there, and the following day when facing the press on Channel 4 and questioned about this view by others who shared our surprise at it, he said that we, the Irish Government, had made it clear that co-operation which was limited to security was of limited interest to us. I think the point is taken by Mr. Hurd. Whatever he may have said on the spur of moment in the ruins of Newry Police Station, his remarks on the following day when he faced the press reflect his more accurate understanding of our position, and by that I mean the position of all sides in this House.
I would like to be convinced of that, but I am sure the Taoiseach would agree with me that it is not appropriate for a person in the position of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and a politician of such experience to make intemperate, off-the-cuff statements of that kind. The Taoiseach will agree with me that we would expect a more mature, balanced approach even under provocation of witnessing scenes of terror and outrage. Will the Taoiseach not accept that, apart from this remark, there have been unfortunate indications from both Mr. Hurd and the British Prime Minister of a preoccupation with the defeat of terrorism to the exclusion of everything else? Does he not see it as the duty of the Irish Government and himself in particular to rectify that belief and to point out continually that peace and stability, as the New Ireland Forum Report says, will come finally to Northern Ireland only when there is a political solution to the tragedy of that area?
This is the message which we convey persistently to the British Government and I believe that we have been doing so with some success, notwithstanding the comment made on that occasion by Mr. Hurd.