Vol. 395 No. 6
5 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Taoiseach if, arising from his press conference after his recent meeting with President Mitterrand in Paris, he will outline the basis on which he ruled out the possibility of supporting the idea of a united neutral Germany; if he will clarify his reported comments on neutrality and especially his statement that if a country was neutral, you had to ask who it was neutral against; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The right to self-determination is a principle endorsed by the Charter of the United Nations. In my reply to a question in the House on 13 December last I indicated that Ireland supports German unification and the right of the peoples of the Federal Republic of Germany and of the German Democratic Republic to determine their own future by a free democratic process. I further indicated that this is also the position of the Twelve as affirmed by the Heads of State and Government in Strasbourg.
Reports that I have ruled out the idea of a united neutral Germany or the possibility of East German membership of the Community are totally incorrect. I said nothing of the kind. I believe, in fact, that it would be foolhardy for anyone to try to lay down hard and fast conditions or objectives in a situation where events are moving so rapidly and so momentously. What I did indicate was my view that it was unrealistic to contemplate that such a powerful economic and political entity in the middle of Europe as West and East Germany combined, would not influence or affect the course of European affairs.
Is the Taoiseach saying that the report, which stated that he indicated that neutrality no longer has a validity in the current situation and that one has to ask, if you are neutral, who you are neutral against, was incorrect? If so, would he make a statement in this House to that effect, that neutrality still has a validity, perhaps an even greater validity in today's world?
I have no hesitation in saying that military neutrality is still a very important stance for any country to adopt.
In relation to this matter and the matter which will be raised in Question No. 6, would the Taoiseach consider the idea of producing some kind of a White Paper or discussion document on the question of foreign affairs as they affect Ireland at present, in view of the developments that are taking place in Europe, so that this House can be involved in a discussion on these matters and so that we can have an input into what is being decided by Government in relation to our attitude internationally?
Certainly, a discussion in the House on events in Europe would be useful but I do not think a White Paper would be necessary or effective because events are moving so quickly. The scene is changing by the day and by the time one would have produced a White Paper it probably would be out of date. I certainly think we might discuss some time fairly soon the question of having a debate on the whole subject of developments in Europe.
I take the point that events are moving so fast that it is difficult enough to keep tabs on what is happening from day to day. Nevertheless, it is important that we have a statement from Government on the guiding principles that are forming the attitudes of the State in relation to those events. It would be fruitful and profitable——
A question, please, Deputy De Rossa.
——if a discussion document of some form could be produced by Government so that we could have a clear understanding as to what is guiding Government decisions at this time. I would urge the Taoiseach, as well as agreeing to a debate——
We have had a speech from the Deputy and this is not in order at Question Time.
I would ask the Taoiseach to agree——
Deputy De Rossa, please. The Deputy knows how to proceed at Question Time.
I am asking the Taoiseach to agree to publish a paper, whether he calls it a White Paper or a discussion document, on the principles which are guiding Government policy at this time.
Deputy Shatter.
Arising from the Taoiseach's reply, in view of the fact that he is apparently willing to contemplate a debate in the House and the fact that, as he says, events are moving so quickly, would he not agree that these are very good reasons for setting up a foreign affairs committee? Would the Taoiseach come to a conclusion on his three year meditation on the advisability of having such a committee?
We are having an extension of the subject matter of this question. Deputy Shatter was anxious to intervene.
It arises from the Taoiseach's reply.
I have called Deputy Shatter twice. I will not call him a third time.
I am endeavouring to show how the House could facilitate the Taoiseach in the wish he has expressed to have a debate of this kind.
Such a debate could take place in a committee of the whole House.
Part of the question I wished to ask has been raised by Deputy Dukes. Would the Taoiseach not agree that at a time of major foreign affairs developments it is in the interests of this House and the country that we had a foreign affairs committee in which Members could debate in detail foreign affairs policy matters and that we have a continuing input into——
The Deputy is dealing with a separate question.
Would the Taoiseach not agree that could not take place in a once-off debate in this Chamber?
I am not so convinced.
Does the Taoiseach envisage, and within what timeframe, East German participation in the EMS?
That is a separate question.
That is a matter which is the subject of intense discussion at the moment. The Deputy is as well informed as I of the way things are shaping up. The question of economic and monetary union between East and West Germany is a very current issue which is being keenly debated both in East Germany and West Germany and throughout the Community. What form that economic and monetary union will eventually take remains to be seen.
Question No. 6.
I have a very brief question.
Sorry, Deputy Shatter, please desist.
I have a very brief question. Will the Taoiseach not agree that it is a matter of acute embarrassment that the newly emerging democracies in Eastern Europe are now within their parliaments formulating foreign affairs committees, when this parliament is denied the right to such a committee?
The Deputy is pursuing the same matter. Question No. 6 please.
And will continue to do so.
That is so mind boggling that I cannot even formulate a reply.
We are the only Parliament in the European Communities that does not have a foreign affairs committee.
Deputy Dukes knows that Deputy Shatter is a bigger embarrassment to him than he is to this side of the House.
You know you never had the gumption to ask for it in Opposition.
Question No. 6 has been called.
Instead of making snide remarks, I would expect the Taoiseach to adopt the position of the statesman on the formulation of a foreign affairs committee while acting out the Presidency of the European Communities.
Deputy Shatter, I have called Question No. 6.
I have a great capacity not to hear what the Deputy is saying.
The Taoiseach has a great capacity to be deaf to everyone around him as well.
