asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make further representations to the Soviet Government to permit further emigration by Soviet Jews.
Ceisteanna—Question. Oral Answers. - Soviet Jews.
4.
The most appropriate and effective framework in which to voice the Government's concern about Soviet policy in this area and to work for concrete improvements is provided by meetings held within the context of follow up to the CSCE. At the current Vienna CSCE follow up meeting the Irish delegation have drawn attention to public and parliamentary concern in Ireland about the treatment by the Soviet Union of their Jewish citizens, including the denial to them of their basic right to leave either temporarily or on a permanent basis and have joined in putting forward proposals on the right of freedom of movement, including the right to leave, and the elimination of abuses of restrictions on freedom of movement on grounds of national security. The Deputy may be assured that the delegation will continue to work to have these proposals adopted.
May I express appreciation to the Minister for his reply which is, and will be, very much appreciated by the Jewish community in Ireland who ask him for his assurance — which I am sure will be forthcoming — that the Irish delegation and the Minister will continue to work towards securing reasonable rights for the Jewish citizens of the Soviet Union?
Thank you Deputy. We are very conscious of the need to continue in this direction.
Is it the Minister's opinion that the Soviet Government are in breach of the undertaking in the Helsinki Agreement?
The Vienna talks are a continuation of the Helsinki Agreement and it is because of that agreement that we are able to make a case on behalf of Jewish citizens in the Soviet Union.
Does the Minister think they are in breach of their undertaking under the Helsinki Agreement?
I do not want to make a value judgment at this stage because the Vienna negotiations are at a very advanced stage and we hope to have this particular aspect of what is called the human dimension in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe concluded by the end of January.
Will the Minister give the House an assurance that the Irish delegation at Vienna will ensure, through the process of European political co-operation, that this issue is kept high on the agenda? Will he indicate to the House whether the position he has articulated as that of the Irish Government is shared by all other members of the Community? If not, would he indicate what steps the Irish delegation at Vienna, or through the EC generally, will be taking to try to make this a central issue?
Within the EC and CSCE we have made human rights and freedom of movement, and all that is incorporated in what is called the human dimension, a high priority. We very strongly believe that the conclusions now being reached in Vienna represent an admirable opportunity to have incorporated a very strong, affirmative commitment to human rights as well as a reduction in conventional arms and the other initiatives taken by the super powers.
Is the Minister aware of the brutal treatment meted out to Russian Jews in Red Square in Moscow on Sunday last? Will he let the Soviet Government know of our Government's displeasure in regard to these unpleasant tactics?
The Deputy is inserting a new matter.
There is a way of doing these things and we are going about this matter in the right way within the inter-governmental framework to which I referred.