asked the Taoiseach whether the Government have any further proposals to amend the Constitution.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Amendment of Constitution.
5.
The Government have no proposals at present to amend the Constitution.
One can almost feel the sigh of relief. In the absence of a constitutional amendment campaign, perhaps we can have a general election instead? Does the Taoiseach's statement mean——
(Interruptions.)
Has the Deputy been moved again? I find his appearances on television very bewildering. Am I to take it from the Taoiseach's reply that he has no intention of asking the people to remove Articles 2 and 3 from the Constitution?
The Deputy has by some extraordinary method arrived at the right conclusion.
I agree that it is somewhat extraordinary that I have been able to arrive at the right conclusion in view of some of the things the Taoiseach has said. May I direct his attention to the fact that he is quoted in a book called "In Civil Wars" as saying that Articles 2 and 3 of our Constitution were an implicit claim of our Government and parliament to exercise jurisdiction over the whole of Ireland, including Northern Ireland, and that that represents a stumbling block to progress.
That is a separate question.
If the Taoiseach said that, does he not think it would cause me some doubt about his refusing to set about removing Articles 2 and 3 if he ever got the opportunity to do so?
First of all, I could not verify the quotation. I do not recognise the exact phraseology. I have never made any statement to the fact that it was unfortunate those Articles were included in that form in the Constitution. My own view is that it would be better if they were not there in their present form. I recognise that their reformulation would be advantageous, a conclusion reached unanimously by a Dáil committee in respect of Article 2 in 1967, with the full support of the Fianna Fáil Party. So, I am not alone in having doubts about these Articles but I recognise that it would not be of advantage to the country to initiate any move of this kind in the present circumstances on the grounds that it could be divisive and damaging to the immediate situation in our State.
If the Taoiseach as Head of the Government recognises that the Irish people would not be prepared to accept the removal of Articles 2 and 3 from their Constitution, will he take whatever steps are available to him to prevent the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland demanding that they be removed?
Perhaps the Deputy can tell us how they have contributed to solving the problems of this island?
Ceist a 6.
On 13 May 1986, the prime overdraft rate of the associated banks stood at——
A Cheann Comhairle, on a point of order, I failed to get your attention in time before you called the next question. Could I ask the Taoiseach whether it is a fact that he has already contravened the Articles in question by signing the Anglo-Irish Agreement?
We have gone on to the next question. Deputy Blaney remembers the time well the reception an effort to get in on a question late, even if the Chair did not catch his eye, would have met.
Whatever doubts Deputies Blaney or Haughey may have in that respect they cannot be very serious doubts as they have taken no steps in the courts to pursue their allegations. They, obviously, do not believe their own statements.
Surely, the same would apply to the Taoiseach in respect of Articles 2 and 3?