asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs, in view of the widespread belief that Libya is continuing to supply arms and explosives to subversive groups on this island, with consequent large-scale loss of life, if he will appeal publicly to Colonel Ghadaffi to halt such supplies; if he will convey the views of the vast majority of the Irish people on the issue; and if he will arrange a meeting with the Libyan leader to convey the wishes of the Irish people at first hand.
Written Answers. - Supply of Weapons to IRA.
18.
The Libyan authorities are fully aware of the unequivocal view of the Government that any support, moral or material, for the provisional IRA from any source is unacceptable.
I reported to the Dáil on 8 December 1987 that the Irish Ambassador in Rome, who is also accredited to Libya, had on the instructions of the Government travelled to Tripoli on 7 November to make this view absolutely clear. I stated that the Ambassador had impressed on the Libyan authorities the widespread public concern which has arisen as a result of the threat posed to the peace and security of this State by the apparent attempt to import into the State for use by the IRA a vast and sophisticated arsenal of weapons. I am satisfied that the Libyan authorities are in no doubt as to the position of the Government on this important point of principle. Our position was reiterated to the Libyan authorities on 30 August 1988. The Deputy will also recall that the Ambassador informed the Libyan authorities that in the light of recent events the Government would not be proceeding with the trade visit to Libya which has been planned for the period 15-17 November 1987.
I have made clear in the Dáil on a number of occasions that the Government's overriding concern is to assess at all stages what are the most effective means of ensuring that neither Libya nor any other country offers support of any kind, moral, political or material to subversive elements in this country. The course of action it adopts in our relations with Libya has been and will continue to be decided on that basis.