Vol. 407 No. 1
24 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Taoiseach if he will outline the reason he did not meet or receive the political and spiritual leader of the Tibetan people, the Dalai Lama, on his visit to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
25 Mr. Spring asked the Taoiseach if a request has been received from the Dalai Lama for a meeting with Government representatives.
26 Mr. Deasy asked the Taoiseach if he received a request from the Dalai Lama for a meeting during the latter's recent visit to Ireland; if so, if he will give details of his reply; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 25 and 26 together.
The recent visit to Ireland by His Holiness the Dalai Lama was private, and therefore the question of invitations or of a meeting with him did not arise. While here, the Dalai Lama opened an exhibition at the Chester Beatty Library. Among those present were the Ministers for Education and Labour who, as guests of the organisers, had the opportunity to meet the Dalai Lama informally.
As I made clear in this House on a previous occasion, the Dalai Lama is a respected and revered religious leader of Tibetans. In my view he deserves the highest credit for his continuing commitment to a peaceful approach, through dialogue, to the problems faced by the Tibetan people. In relation to human rights in Tibet, the concerns of Ireland and its European partners were raised as recently as 27 February last at the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva.
Since I am obliged to proceed to deal with Priority Questions at 3.30 p.m. sharp, I beg the indulgence of Deputies to be brief and relevant so that I may satisfy that requirement.
Will the Taoiseach confirm that the Dalai Lama was welcome to this country despite the comments from the Chinese Embassy and the Chinese Government?
Of course.
The Taoiseach declined to do that when I asked him to record that in this House the day before the Dalai Lama came. Will the Taoiseach tell me whether we support the right to self-determination of the people of Tibet?
I will call the other Deputies, having regard to the limited time at our disposal — Deputies Spring and Deasy.
Was a request received by the Taoiseach for a meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama? Did the Department of Foreign Affairs assist the Dalai Lama in any requests he had in coming to this country?
Deputy Deasy is not here so I will call on the Taoiseach to reply.
The Dalai Lama was a welcome, distinguished and respected visitor as a religious leader. I am not sure if any particular facilities were necessary or were asked for from the Department of Foreign Affairs in regard to his visit, but I am sure if they were, they would have been offered. He was invited by the trustees of the Chester Beatty Library in a private capacity and the visit was dealt with in that way. The question of an invitation or of my meeting him, or anything like that, did not arise and the Deputy can understand what I mean by that.
I do not understand.
I now wish to proceed to deal with Priority Questions.
Did the Taoiseach receive a request for a meeting?
It is not protocol to say whether requests were made. The question did not arise. I did not meet him.
Proinsias De Rossa rose.
Surely, the Deputy is not going to dissipate the precious time available to the House for priority questions.
I am merely seeking clarification. My memory may be defective but I am not aware of anything in Standing Orders which requires questions to the Taoiseach to be stopped at any time before 3.45 p.m.
A quarter of an hour is laid down for priority questions. I am proceeding to deal with them now.
May I ask, on a point of order——
Question No. 41 to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. I will take a point of order later, Deputy, not now.
On a point of order, I must protest at the way——
The Deputy knows full well why I am doing this.
I am asking you to clarify the basis on which——
No, Deputy, we are on priority questions now.
I am raising the question of whether we are in order in moving to priority questions now.
I am quite satisfied.
As a Deputy of this House, I am entitled to ask for clarification.
There is no obligation on the Chair to educate the Deputy in that regard.
There is.
I am surprised at the Deputy.
I am surprised at the way you are dealing with this matter.
That is a reflection on the Chair.
The Deputy should read Standing Orders.
