asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the establishment of devolved government in Northern Ireland, as provided for in the Anglo-Irish Agreement, remains a policy objective of this Government; the measures the Government have taken to ensure that this objective is pursued; and when he expects that devolved government may be established in Northern Ireland.
Ceisteanna—Question. Oral Answers. - Northern Ireland Governmental Structure.
12.
The Government would welcome the development of an active dialogue between the constitutional parties in Northern Ireland on the range of issues of concern at present, including the possibility of establishing a basis for devolved government which would secure widespread acceptance throughout the community there. However, in the absence of such dialogue, it is understandably not possible at this stage to anticipate developments.
I take it from the Minister's reply, although he has not specifically stated this, that it is an objective of the Government, as part of the political process, to work for devolved Government in Northern Ireland, at least as an interim measure.
The development envisaged by the Deputy is set out in Article 4 of the Anglo-Irish Agreement. That Article states that devolution is the declared policy of the British Government and that the Irish Government support that policy. That position still stands.
Can I ask the Minister why it is that neither this Government nor the previous Government have ever raised the issue of devolved government at their conferences under the Anglo-Irish Agreement?
How does the Deputy know?
I am asking the Minister. Is that not so, Minister?
It has happened. The Deputy is mistaken in that view. There is a question of making such negotiations and discussions really meaningful. We must set the climate and the environment for meaningful discussions on that area. So far as subscribing to the principle of what the Deputy wants to see achieved is concerned, that is set out in article IV of the Anglo-Irish Agreement. There is no question about our adherence to it. It is a question of having a successful outcome to meaningful discussions on this matter. The Deputy knows well what I am saying in this respect.
I know it is stated in the Anglo-Irish Agreement, that is the reason I am asking the Minister those questions. I am asking him why it is not being pursued by this Government, just as it was not pursued either by the previous Government and in answer to——
That is simply not true and I speak for both Governments.
I will tell the Minister the position.
The Deputy is not being helpful.
A delegation from The Workers' Party met Mr. Tom King——
We must proceed by way of questions.
I am asking the Minister if he would agree with the statement by Mr. King that no Irish Government ever raised the question of devolved government at their conferences. Can the Minister deny that?
I am not going to debate the context of the Anglo-Irish Conference in that manner. Neither do I deal with the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in that manner. I refuse to do so.
I simply asked the Minister a question and he did not reply.
This is leading to argument.
Would the Minister say if it is an objective of the Government — as is stated in the Anglo-Irish Agreement — to pursue the issue of devolved government, why it is not being raised at the appropriate forum established under the Anglo-Irish Agreement for raising these issues? Would the Minister say why the matter of devolved government has not been raised by his Government?
There are ways and means of raising matters of this kind. The Deputy would appear to have a wrong perception of how this process works. I say that advisedly.
Are the Government being advised by the SDLP in this matter? Are they taking the SDLP line on the matter rather than a separate Government line?
I refuse to answer that question also.