asked the Taoiseach if, in view of the emphasis in the Anglo-Irish Agreement on the need to re-establish devolved government in Northern Ireland, he will now publicly urge the SDLP to take its seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Northern Ireland Assembly.
1.
Article 4 of the Anglo-Irish Agreement 1985 states that it is the declared policy of the United Kingdom Government that responsibility in respect of certain matters should be devolved within Northern Ireland on a basis which would secure widespread acceptance throughout the community; and that the Irish Government support that policy. The agreement also states that both Governments recognise that devolution can be achieved only with the co-operation of constitutional representatives within Northern Ireland of both traditions there. The question of whether the SDLP should enter the present Assembly, or any future Assembly, is a matter for that party for whose independence, integrity and judgment I have the greatest respect. It would not be appropriate for me to take the action suggested by the Deputy. I would, however, draw his attention to the relevant remarks by Mr. John Hume on devolved executive power in the course of his speech in the British House of Commons yesterday.
Is the Taoiseach aware that a poll taken in 1984 showed that a majority of both communities — 89 per cent of Protestants and 53 per cent Catholics — were in favour of the SDLP's going into the Assembly? They did not think it was likely that they would go in, but nevertheless that was the position. Does the Taoiseach now accept that the Assembly would be the forum for dialogue about the devolution to which he refers?
I do not accept the implication of the question, which would seem to be an expression of a judgment that the SDLP should have gone into the Assembly. That is a matter for that party to decide in their own judgment, which they have exercised with great skill and wisdom over the years. I would not go along with any suggestion or implication that we, members of the parties in this House, or this House, should attempt to tell them what to do in a matter which is so very much one for their own judgment.
Hear, hear.
Does the Taoiseach consider that the Assembly which exists in Northern Ireland would be a suitable forum for dialogue in relation to the devolved government to which both Governments and the SDLP have agreed in the Anglo-Irish Agreement? Would that be a suitable forum for such a dialogue to take place?
That seems to be a separate question.
It specifically relates to the question I put down in regard to the Anglo-Irish Agreement and the need to re-establish devolved government in Northern Ireland.
The question seems to be whether the Taoiseach will try to influence a party to go into the Assembly. The quality or suitability of the Assembly does not seem to be within the ambit of the question. Certainly it would be widening it very far.
The question is in relation to the need to re-establish devolved government in Northern Ireland, which is agreed on by both Governments in the document and, as the Taoiseach said, by the SDLP in John Hume's statement. I am asking the Taoiseach if it would be his opinion, in view of the enormous Unionist backlash and the need to make some effort to defuse this situation, that the Assembly would be a suitable forum for bringing all the parties together for a discussion on devolved government.
This is quite a serious matter, as I am sure are all matters which come up here. This seems to be particularly serious and the supplementary seems to seek to open up a debate on the suitability or otherwise of the Assembly. That is certainly not covered in the question.
Since the Taoiseach over a year ago endorsed the SDLP's boycott of the Assembly, I am asking if he will now withdraw his endorsement of the boycott, if he is not going to give any instructions to the SDLP.
The Chair is enforcing the rules rather strictly in this case because in the Chair's opinion this is a very sensitive time to discuss the subject which the Deputy is seeking to discuss.
I am asking if you will allow the Taoiseach to answer the question. I think the Taoiseach is evading the issue, which is of grave importance to this House and to everybody, North and South. Will the Taoiseach disclose his opinions on the matter? It is of vital importance——
I am sorry, Deputy, I will not. If the Deputy puts down a question——
——particularly since he gave his opinions on the matter over a year ago in regard to a boycott of this Assembly. Will he not clarify the position now? What I am asking concerns the Taoiseach's commitment to devolved government.
In the Chair's opinion the essence of the question as asked has been answered. I am not prepared to allow a further development of it.