Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 14 Feb 1991

Vol. 405 No. 2

Written Answers. - British Policy on Northern Ireland.

Dick Spring

Question:

25 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent speech by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in which he stated that Britain had no selfish or strategic interest in Northern Ireland.

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Collins)

I made my views known on the Secretary of State's speech in my address to the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body on 12 December last. On that occasion, I said this particular speech by the Secretary of State would take its place among the most important statements in the recent history of Anglo-Irish relations. I also made the point that, taken in its entirety, the statement is notably different in tone from previous presentations of policy; and that its openness and positive approach should suggest a fundamental re-evaluation of entrenched positions.

I am conscious that the speech was seen as equally significant by others, including John Hume who commented on the text at some length in his address to the SDLP Party Conference last November.