asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the disquiet and fears that exist among Irish Americans about Anglo-Irish relations; and the plans he or the Government have to conduct a diplomatic campaign to inform United States opinion of the position of the Irish Government.
Written Answers. - Anglo-Irish Relations.
17.
There is understandable disquiet in the United States about the series of recent incidents affecting Northern Ireland and Anglo-Irish relations. The deep concern of the Friends of Ireland in Congress was evident in their St. Patrick's Day statement. The concerns voiced in the Friends' statement are widely shared by Irish Americans, as is the desire to play a constructive role in efforts to bring about a peaceful resolution of the problems of Northern Ireland.
The Government, through the embassy and our consulates in the United States as well as through ministerial visits, maintain close contact with the Administration, Congress and responsible Irish American organisations in regard to the situation in Northern Ireland and Anglo-Irish relations generally. I am, of course, conscious of the importance of ensuring that the Government's views are widely known and understood in the United States and will continue to take the steps necessary to ensure that this is achieved.