asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason Ireland abstained on the recent vote at the United Nations on the resolution referred to in the press on November 30 which purported to describe apartheid as a crime against humanity; if he will make the text of the resolution available to Members of the House; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
43.
The resolution in question was concerned with the report of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination which was established under the terms of the International Convention on the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination. Contrary to the impression given by some reports Ireland voted in favour of this resolution, a copy of which has been made available in the Library of the House. Along with all of our European Community partners, Ireland, without in any way detracting from our abhorrence and rejection of the entire apartheid system, abstained in a separate vote on the particular paragraph of the resolution to which the Deputy's question refers on the ground that it implied obligations going beyond the terms of this particular resolution and employed formulations which have wider implications than those relating specifically to apartheid. Ireland has a record of consistent opposition to the apartheid policies of the South African Government. At the United Nations Ireland will this week co-sponsor resolutions on concerted international action against apartheid and the United Nations trust fund for South Africa.