asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has yet received a reply from the South African authorities to representations he made regarding the refusal of South Africa to admit a number of Dunnes Stores strikers in July last; if he will say what the response was; if the Government intend to take any further action on the refusal; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Dunnes Stores Strikers.
8.
Proinsias De Rossa
A reply has been received from the South African authorities.
The terms of the reply are along the lines of the public utterances of South African spokesmen at the time the group were refused admission. The South African authorities indicated that they have no objection to persons from abroad, including critics, visiting South Africa and that it was to be hoped that the Dunnes' Stores group would clarify their intentions should they still wish to proceed to South Africa. The reply contained a suggestion that their ambassador in London would be prepared to meet the group to discuss the matter. I understand that the strikers have been in contact with the South African Embassy in London regarding obtaining entry for the group into South Africa in the near future. The Government have already made known to the South African authorities their concern about their action in excluding the group, who were travelling at the invitation of the South African Council of Churches, a body committed to achieving peaceful change in South Africa. I can assure the Deputy that future developments regarding the group's attempts to visit South Africa will be followed closely by my Department.
Proinsias De Rossa
In view of the most recent developments in South Africa regarding press and media censorship of events taking place there, does the Minister agree that it is now more important than ever for the Government to step up their efforts to pressurise the South African Government to end apartheid? Does the Minister also agree that part of those efforts should be withdrawal from the "no visa arrangement" as the treatment of the Dunnes' Stores strikers is a clear example of the manner in which South Africa chooses to ignore this arrangement when it suits her?
I have already answered the questions about the visas in reply to a supplementary to an earlier question. I agree with the Deputy that the decision of the South African Government to place restrictions on media and press coverage of the troubles in that country is not an advancement. Their excuse that much of it has been fabricated rings very hollow as any one who saw the television pictures a fortnight ago of soldiers appearing from boxes and shooting innocent bystanders could not believe that that had been fabricated. It was all too horribly real.