Vol. 439 No. 6
10 Miss Harney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if any representations were made to the US Administration in relation to the visit of the Sinn Féin President, Mr. Gerry Adams, to the United States; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
15 Mr. Hogan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Irish authorities were consulted by the US Embassy or the US Government about the issue of a US visa to the President of Sinn Féin, Mr. Gerry Adams; and if so, if he will give details of the reply in the matter.
16 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs whether the Irish authorities were consulted in connection with the issue by the US of a visa to Sinn Féin President, Mr. Gerry Adams; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
76 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs whether any contact was made with his Department in relation to the granting of a visa to a person (details supplied); whether his Department offered any information in regard to such visa being granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 15, 16 and 76 together.
As the Taoiseach indicated to the House on 8 February, the Government viewed the decision to grant a visa to Mr. Adams as strictly a matter for the United States Government.
This view, consistent with the Government's long standing position on matters of this kind, was conveyed in routine contacts with the US authorities in advance of the decision on 30 January to grant Mr. Adams a temporary visa. The position which we took was one of neither support for, nor objection to, the application.
I appreciate this is a matter for the United States Government. However, am I to understand no contact was made between the United States and the Irish Government in respect of this issue?
As I indicated the question was strictly a matter between the United States authorities and Mr. Adams. Contact was made in advance by the consul general in Belfast concerning an interview with Mr. Adams. The Government was asked if it had any objection to direct contact between Mr. Adams and the US authorities to ascertain whether Mr. Adams satisfied the necessary US legal criteria in respect of a visa waiver and we indicated there was no objection to such a course of action.
What are the Minister's views on the circus that took place as a result of Gerry Adams' visit to the United States? Does he believe it assisted in getting across to the American people the campaign of violence that is going on in Northern Ireland, supported by Sinn Féin candidates who must sign support for such a campaign when standing for election?
On the media circus that took place in New York during Mr. Adams' visit, nobody should be surprised by the way the American media hyped the visit. That is part and parcel of the age of mass communications and media manipulation in the United States. I would be inclined to take the view that if there is a renunciation of violence, if there is an announcement supporting the declaration of 15 December last, that visit will become a minor part of what has happened in the last number of months.
And if there is not such an announcement, what will happen?
I continue to share the hope, expressed by President Clinton in his statement of 13 January, that the decision to enable Mr. Adams attend the New York conference would encourage him to bring about peace and bring an end to the tragic cycle of violence that has plagued the people of Northern Ireland for too long. It is still our hope that that will take place.
He is getting all the praises without making any effort. He is not being called on to do anything.
