Vol. 404 No. 4
20 Mr. Spring asked the Taoiseach if he will outline the current position in relation to the initiatives taken by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to bring about talks between the constitutional parties in Northern Ireland.
The initiative of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland continues to be the subject of ongoing discussions between all the parties involved. As I have stated previously, it would not be appropriate to go into the details of confidential discussions of this nature but the Government support the initiative and would like to see it succeed.
I am very much aware of the confidential nature of the discussions and also of the Government's willingness and I support the Government's hope in this regard. Given the fact that the likelihood of talks seemed more pronounced last June and July and likewise before Christmas there was a certain focus on the content of the talks and hopes for talks to commence, at this stage is the Taoiseach satisfied or confident that talks will get under way in the short term? Will the Taoiseach outline what difficulties, if any, he sees preventing talks getting under way in the short-term.
At this stage I am hopeful rather than confident. Perhaps more importantly, the Government here are still determined to be as oncoming and supportive as possible. Very soon now an important meeting will take place with the Secretary of State and that will give us an opportunity to assess the present situation. The Deputy knows as well as anybody else from public reports, and without my giving away any confidential information, where the difficulty lies. It lies in the way in which the different parties concerned will participate in the discussions. As of yet there has been no resolution to that aspect. I assure the Deputy that we have put forward time and again different proposals and suggestions in an endeavour to be helpful. Indeed, we have made very considerable concessions for that purpose too.
I accept the goodwill being proffered by the Taoiseach on behalf of the Government in relation to these talks. I understand the Minister for Foreign Affairs is due to meet the Secretary of State, possibly tomorrow. Is the question of talks high on the agenda and will the Taoiseach report back to the Dáil at an early date?
Yes, I should be very glad to keep the Dáil informed as soon as possible of any developments. I should particularly like to be able to come to the Dáil to tell Members of any favourable developments.
In view of the fact that the Taoiseach has stated he is more hopeful than optimistic about these talks taking place, what does he envisage will happen if the talks fail to take place and if this initiative runs into the sand? Does he see any benign scenario in regard to Northern Ireland in that event?
Yes, I do. I do not want to talk about failure of the present initiative at this stage. Should this initiative fail despite all our goodwill and best endeavours, I should not be at all despondent. I believe there is still a great deal of goodwill for progress in different areas and sections and we would be very anxious to pursue any possible initiative or avenue that might offer the prospect of progress. I would not be at all pessimistic about that, but in the meantime we must concentrate on the Brooke initiative which is before us and see if by constant dialogue and even compromise we can get a solution.
Bearing in mind the sensitivities of the situation and the fact that the initiative very nearly came to an end in the not too distant past, could the Taoiseach undertake, as has been suggested in this House before, to give a briefing to party leaders on a confidential basis with regard to progress, in order to avoid issues or questions being raised which might cause difficulty in the very delicate negotiations which are under way?
I have already indicated that if a need for such dialogue between party leaders were necessary I would arrange it immediately — or if I thought such a meeting would be helpful. At this stage I do not see any particular need for such a meeting. If it does arise I will, in accordance with my practice, avail of the advice of my colleagues.
Would the Taoiseach agree that the lack of inter-party talks within Northern Ireland creates a political vacuum which can only be of benefit to the extremists on either side? Would he accept that we on this side of the House do not have the same sense of resignation — almost acceptance — which he seems to be essaying this afternoon about the possibility that these talks might not succeed? Would he agree that it is a matter of the utmost importance that democratic politicians in Northern Ireland get together and start doing business with one another and that we should do everything in our power to bring about that event rather than accept the position in a somewhat resigned fashion?
There is always a risk when one wishes to be as forthcoming as possible that one would be misinterpreted in that way. I am not resigned; I am not complacent. I am as anxious as anyone in this House to have these discussions brought to a fruitful conclusion. We have all spent an enormous amount of time involved in discussions, dialogue, papers, counter-papers, compromises and formulae. There is no question of being resigned to failure. That was the first thing I said in reply to Deputy Spring. We are not contemplating failure at this stage, but we must have regard to the realities of the situation.
