First, I am taking the question addressed to the Taoiseach in the name of Deputy Peter Barry.
Private Notice Questions. - Talks on Northern Ireland.
asked the Taoiseach, in view of the proposed meetings between the Unionist parties in the North and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if it is the Government's intention to agree to a suspension of the Anglo-Irish Conference or the removal of the Secretariat from Maryfield.
asked the Taoiseach if he has been consulted regarding the proposed talks between the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Unionist leaders; and the concessions his Government are prepared to make to ensure progress in those discussions.
With your permission, Sir, I propose to take both questions together. We have, of course, been consulted about these talks and in the interest of securing progress have been as helpful as we can in regard to them. I can assure Deputies that the suspension of the Conference and the removal of the Secretariat are not in question. However, it is important for all concerned, with a view to being constructive, to be careful about what is said on the subject at this time, when active efforts are being made to get a process of dialogue going.
I thank the Taoiseach for his reply and accept his view on the necessity to be careful about the words we use. Would he agree that it is not helpful that additional blocks are put in place any time slight progress is made along the road by way of additional conditions under which certain people may take part in talks?
I think we should all concentrate on endeavouring to remove barriers and blocks, and indeed that is the spirit that prevails throughout Europe at present.
As it has never been claimed that the Anglo-Irish Agreement was an end in itself or a final agreement, and all sides appear to be saying that something better can be put in its place, can I ask the Taoiseach if at this point he accepts that there are obstacles preventing the Unionists coming to talks and if he and the Government are prepared to take some steps to remove those obstacles?
First of all, the Deputy will know that I have said in this House on a number of occasions that the Government are committed to continuing to work the agreement fully until it is transcended by a new and more comprehensive arrangement. The answer to the Deputy is inherent in my reply in which I said that we have, of course, been consulted about the talks and, in the interests of securing progress, we have been as helpful as we can. I think the Deputy will know what I mean by that.
In relation to the Taoiseach's statement that he wants to be as helpful as he possibly can, would he not accept that at this time the Irish Government should agree to a suspension of the Anglo-Irish Secretariat for a predetermined time to allow talks to get under way and, in the event of those talks failing, that the agreement would be recommenced at a fixed time?
No, I could not give any such commitment at this stage.
Bearing in mind, as the Taoiseach has said, the need for sensitivity in the current situation, would he acknowledge that the requirement by the Unionist parties for the suspension of the conferences and the removal of the Maryfield Secretariat is not a new requirement; it is not a requirement which they have announced recently but has been one of their conditions for some considerable time? Would the Taoiseach indicate that it is a question on which the door is not closed but is one that can be considered at some future time?
I have advised the Deputy before that I do not think he should take upon himself the role of interpreting for me the wishes of the Unionists. I have time and again asked that they would convey these concerns to myself.
Would the Taoiseach agree that the statement made by him and by others in this House and a similar statement made by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to the effect that the two Governments are prepared to contemplate the possibility of another agreement which, in the Taoiseach's own words, would transcend the present agreement is not in itself a very substantial political move which would be recognised by the other parties to these talks as being a very clear earnest of the constructive intention of all the parties concerned?
I think it is a very clear indication of our respective positions and, as I read the newspapers, it has been welcomed as such by the Unionist representatives.
A final question. There are a number of Private Notice Questions to be dealt with today.
Given the position outlined by the Taoiseach, which amounts to a negative response to the request made by Unionist leaders at the weekend, is he now confident that the talks will take place between the Unionist leaders and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in those circumstances?
I hope they will. I would certainly rebut any suggestion of a negative attitude on our part. As I have said in my reply, and I would like to reiterate it, in the interests of securing progress we have been as helpful as we can.
Would the Taoiseach accept that the political movement we are currently witnessing in Northern Ireland is of such a fragile and sensitive nature that it has to be very carefully nurtured and that all of us in this House should be extremely careful in what we have to say in relation to it because, while there are some people in Northern Ireland who are prepared to put their political necks on the line in order to find political accommodation, there are others clearly who would like nothing better than something said in this House or outside it, in the Republic, which could be used as an excuse for breaking off discussions? Would the Taoiseach agree that in those circumstances it is incumbent on all of us who desperately wish to see political progress in Northern Ireland to be acutely sensitive and conscious of these considerations?
That is exactly what I said in my reply.