Dick Spring
Question:38 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent comments of the President of the United States in relation to Northern Ireland.
Written Answers. - US President's Comments on Northern Ireland.
I presume the Deputy has in mind the comments made by President Bush on St. Patrick's Day at a function at the White House which I attended on behalf of the Government.
President Bush reiterated on that occasion the long-standing readiness of the US Administration to play a constructive role in the search for a settlement to the Northern Ireland problem.
Describing the Irish-American relationship as "strong, good and very, very important to us", the President emphasised the need for close contact between the US and Irish Governments. He stated that the US was "vitally interested" in the problem of Northern Ireland, first, because of the many Americans of Irish heritage; secondly, because of Ireland's role in the European Community; and thirdly, because of the importance of Irish-US relations.
President Bush indicated that the US would like to help in relation to Northern Ireland in any way which the Irish Government deemed possible. At the same time, he restated the view of successive administrations that the US is not in a position to dictate a solution or to act as a sole arbiter of the problem.
The Irish Government naturally welcome these helpful and supportive remarks by President Bush and greatly appreciate the underlying interest and goodwill of the US Administration in relation to the problem of Northern Ireland.