asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the breakdown of the recent Reykjavik talks.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Reykjavik Talks.
11.
The Government welcome the meeting at Reykjavik between President Reagan and General Secretary Gorbachev as part of the continuous dialogue between the two superpowers which we regard as essential for more secure and stable international relations. Although the meeting ended without any agreement, we are encouraged by the evidence that crucial agreements of potentially major significance seem to have been in prospect. Progress appears to have been made on a wide range of issues which have been under discussion since March 1985 at the US-Soviet negotiations at Geneva on nuclear and space weapons.
Discussions also focused on human rights issues, intensified bilateral exchanges and on regional problems. We understand that the discussions were intensive and far-ranging. We are pleased to note that both sides have signalled their intention to follow-up on Reykjavik and that contact on these issues have already resumed at Geneva between the US and the USSR. We look forward to both sides continuing the search for agreements in their talks and building on that progress that is mutually acknowledged to have taken place at Reykjavik. We hope that through a continuing commitment to high level contact the momentum towards agreement can be maintained.
Does the Minister think that a nuclear conflict is more or less likely as a result of the breakdown of these talks?
That is an enormous question. I think a nuclear conflict is less likely as a result of the meeting in Reykjavik.
Will the Minister now consider pressing for the removal of all intermediate range missiles from Europe as a step forward on its own merits regardless of Soviet or NATO reservations?
As the Deputy will be aware, we never take part in the details of disarmament negotiations.