Peter Barry
Question:3 Mr. Barry asked the Taoiseach if the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs has overall responsibility for Northern Ireland affairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Ministerial Responsibility for Northern Ireland Affairs.
Under the Constitution the Taoiseach, as Head of Government, is given ultimate authority, and, therefore, ultimate responsibility, in relation to the overall operation of the Government. In line with this responsibility, the Taoiseach has an overseeing role and a corresponding involvement in all major policy areas, such as Northern Ireland, economic issues and EC affairs.
The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs has direct functional responsibility for Northern Ireland affairs. In his role as co-chairman of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference, set up under the Anglo-Irish Agreement, he has immediate responsibility for the implementation of that agreement in all its aspects and in relation to particular issues which arise in Anglo-Irish relations from time to time.
In regard to the talks process, as I stated in the House on 6 April last, I envisage that the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs would, in line with the arrangements made last year involving the then Tánaiste, John Wilson, lead the Government delegation in any resumed talks.
Will the Taoiseach agree — I am not being contentious — that the different emphasis placed on this issue by the Tánaiste and him is not helpful to anyone in this House in terms of finding a solution to the problems in Northern Ireland? The most recent example of this difference was the reaction of the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste to the speech made by Deputy O'Malley last week. Earlier, they placed different emphasis on Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution. The Taoiseach said that ultimate responsibility for Northern Ireland affairs rested with him. If the Tánaiste has operational responsibility for such matters, does the Taoiseach not consider that it would be wise for both of them to use the same words, have the same emphasis and same direction on all these matters? It is not apparent at present that the two Government parties have the same direction on these matters.
I appreciate the points made by Deputy Barry. I am sure that like me he is aware — I am not attributing this motive to him for putting down his question — that many people outside and inside this House, would love to drive a wedge between the Tánaiste and me by highlighting differences in our parties' policies. I assure Deputy Barry and the House that these people will fail dismally in their efforts to do this. There is close and continuous consultation between the Tánaiste and me on all policy matters. Both parties in Government operate on the basis of our common policy on Northern Ireland, which is set out in detail in the Programme for a Partnership Government. There is no difference in our approach or objectives.
That is precisely the response we do not want. There is a clear difference in emphasis between the two Government parties on this issue. When Deputy O'Malley spoke last week the Taoiseach said he was adopting a simplistic approach, whereas the Tánaiste said his speech needed further consideration as it had much merit. Earlier in relation to Articles 2 and 3, the Taoiseach said that they were not for sale — in his speech to his party at Bodenstown he gave a very strong commitment to Articles 2 and 3 — while the Tánaiste said that these Articles are not cast in bronze. This is sending the wrong signal to the Nationalist and Unionist communities——
Let us proceed by way of supplementary questions.
——and the British Government. There should not be that difference of emphasis in this House in its entirety, not to mention between the two parties in Government.
We cannot have statements now.
All I can do is repeat what I have said — there is no difference between the Tánaiste's approach and mine to this issue. Our common policy is set out in the Programme for Government, and we will continue to pursue it on that basis.
Deputy John Bruton is offering.
The Taoiseach had better make another speech.
The Taoiseach said that the Tánaiste has functional responsibility for Northern Ireland matters. Did the Taoiseach consult the Tánaiste before completing the preparation of the speech he made in this House during the debate on Northern Ireland?
As the Deputy knows full well, I gave this House a full and detailed account of the factual policy position of the Government in relation to Northern Ireland.
Answer the question.
The Taoiseach is not answering the question.
There is no difference whatsoever between our policies.
That was not the question.
The Deputies opposite have tried to find a difference. As usual, Fine Gael ignored the first 11 pages of that document and tried to insinuate that I was an advocate of violence or was somehow, directly or indirectly, soft on violence.
The Taoiseach is waffling; he should answer the question.
If the Deputies opposite want to continue that line I can assure them that they will be wasting their time.
"Yes" or "no" will do.
I am sorry the Taoiseach's civil servants did not anticipate that question.
I am proceeding to Question No. 4.
May I ask a supplementary question?
A final supplementary, Deputy.
The Taoiseach said that the Tánaiste has operational responsibility for the Anglo-Irish Agreement. In his speech a fortnight ago the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland referred to new proposals in relation to Northern Ireland. Have these proposals been communicated to the Government and what has been its reaction to them?
The Deputy is going beyond the subject matter of his question.
I think the Taoiseach referred to it in his reply, Sir.
That may be so, but I must adhere to the questions before me.
Such proposals have not been communicated to the Government, and we expect full consultation to take place on the matter.