asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if any member of this Department met with representatives of the illegal Turkish regime in Northern Cyprus during their recent visit to this country; if he approves of visits by representatives of an illegal regime to this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteann—Questions. Oral Answers. - Visits of Representatives of Illegal Regimes.
10.
No official of my Department has met representatives of the socalled Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, an illegal entity which is not recognised by Ireland. I am aware of reports that individuals from Northern Cyprus recently visited this country. It was an entirely private matter and the Government was not involved in any way.
It has been the policy of successive Governments fully to support the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of Cyprus and the efforts of the UN Secretary-General to work out a negotiated solution to the problems of Cyprus on that basis. The Government is concerned to avoid any action which could be construed as lending even tacit recognition or support to the self-styled Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. I would therefore like to take the opportunity again to remind Members of the Oireachtas of my wish that they not distunit regard the policy of successive Governments in their contacts with representatives of that separatist "state".
I would like to thank the Minister for that statement which is, effectively, a repeat of a very strong statement made by him in February of this year. The Minister is no doubt aware that members of his own party and members of Fianna Fáil invited these people from Northern Cyprus here. Can the Minister indicate if there are any steps he can take to discourage these Deputies from involving themselves with this regime in view of the brutal way in which this part of Cyprus was occupied and continues to be separated from the rest of Cyprus?
I have not had much success so far in persuading Members not just of this House but of the other House from having contact with this illegal regime. I will certainly try again and, with the co-operation of other Deputies in this House, I hope I will have more success in dissuading our colleagues from taking the sort of action they took recently.
Does the Minister see any possibility that this regime which is now being classified as being illegal by the questioner might, in the near future, become legal and respectable just like the transformation that occurred in The Workers' Party here when they renounced their past and were fit for us to mix with?
I do not want to go into the second half of that, but on the first half, we support the United Nations General Secretary in his efforts to bring about a just solution on the island of Cyprus. We do recognise the sovereignty and independence of the Cypriot people.
I do not want to get into an argument with Deputy Power either. He is one of the Deputies who has given effective recognition to this illegal entity in Northern Cyprus. Let me ask him what his position would be if it were Turkey that was occupying Northern Ireland?
The Deputy cannot ask a question other than of the Minister through the Chair.