asked the Minister if his attention has been drawn to comments made by the Unionist MP, Mr. Ken Maginnis, that Unionists found parts of the Ard-Fheis speech to be deeply offensive; if he will clarify his statement that the Unionist leadership could not be morally justified in refusing his invitation to talks; if he intends to take any action to make it politically possible for the Unionist leadership to accept his invitation by, for instance, making changes in the operation of the Anglo-Irish Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Invitation to Unionists.
1.
I have seen the comments referred to by the Deputy. My Ard-Fheis remarks were meant to be constructive and helpful and I would hope that having reflected on the speech in its entirely, Unionists leaders would accept this. My primary concern is to find a way forward and to help to end the violence which has caused so much suffering for all the people of Northern Ireland. I also suggested that we should discuss the advent of the Single Market and how it will affect both parts of Ireland.
I mentioned in my reply the question of violence. I am sure I will speak for all Deputies in the House when I avail of this opportunity to express my repugnance of the latest senseless killing in Coagh, County Fermanagh. It is the sort of violence that makes no sense to anybody. It is very difficult to understand or explain.
I would like to echo the Taoiseach's remarks in relation to the latest savagery engaged in by the Provisionals. It may be possible to explain it on the basis that they are a totally sectarian organisation; they have no connection or interest whatsoever in the unity of this country or of its people. They are simply intent on annihilating as many Protestants as they can manage to annihilate.
In relation to the Taoiseach's reply to my question, would he agree at this point that whatever his intentions may have been — and I accept that they are not intended to be damaging — they have been read as provocative and as using the threat of violence against the Unionist population and that this was regrettable? Would the Taoiseach accept at this point that it is more important now than ever that emphasis be put on the need for the democratic and constitutional parties in Northern Ireland to sit down to discuss the future of Northern Ireland within the context of Northern Ireland?
As the Deputy knows, it is fairly easy in the context of Northern Ireland affairs to be misunderstood and perhaps even misrepresented. The best thing I can do at this stage is just repeat simply that what I said was meant to be constructive and helpful. I had no other objective and no other ambition.
In relation to the response from Mr. Ken Maginnis, that I refer to in my question, Mr. Maginnis also indicated that he was interested in talking about a new agreement which would be based on Northern Ireland and would deal with the relationship between Northern Ireland and the Republic and Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom. Could the Taoiseach indicate what his attitude would be to such a proposal and if he would see this as something that should be encouraged? Perhaps he would indicate whether it would be possible to make a public statement in the near future in response to that offer?
I have gone to some lengths to explain that my wish for dialogue with the Unionist leadership is without any preconditions and that any matters at all can be discussed. That would be the position. I have indicated on a number of occasions that my primary concern would be to hear from the Unionist leadership at first hand what their priorities are, and that still stands. I also made it fairly clear in my Ard Fheis speech that the Anglo-Irish Agreement was never intended by anybody or expressed by anybody to be the ultimate word in regard to the affairs of Northern Ireland but that until such time as something more acceptable all round and more satisfactory from every point of view can be put in its place the Anglo-Irish Agreement would stand.
I have given the Deputy quite a lot of latitude. There are other questions on the Order Paper equally important and the Chair has an obligation to try to deal with them.
I accept that. I will keep my question brief.
It must be brief this time, Deputy.
In the light of what the Taoiseach has just said, in the light of the clear indications from the Unionists in Northern Ireland that they are not asking for the setting aside of the agreement, and because of the perceptions of the agreement and the difficulties which progressive Unionists have to face in Northern Ireland, I am asking the Taoiseach if he would agree——
We cannot debate this matter today, Deputy.
I am asking the Taoiseach if he would agree——
A brief question.
I am trying to do that, a Cheann Comhairle.
You are taking a long time at it.
Regrettably some of these things take some time occasionally. I would ask the Taoiseach, therefore, if he would agree that it is necessary to find a formula either for a gap in the meetings of the conferences of the agreement or a suspension of the agreement to enable representatives of the Unionist parties in Northern Ireland to enter dialogue with the other parties in Northern Ireland or indeed with the Taoiseach?
I think I have made my position quite clear.