Bertie Ahern
Question:3 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Taoiseach the proposals, if any, he has to visit the United States of America. [1461/95]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - US Visit by Taoiseach.
I plan to visit the United States in March. I will be meeting President Clinton in Washington in the St. Patrick's Day period, for discussions on Northern Ireland and other matters of mutual concern. I very much look forward to this meeting, at which I will be renewing the invitation to President Clinton to visit Ireland.
I also intend to have meetings during this visit with as many as possible of the friends of Ireland in political and business life and the Irish community in America.
My programme for this visit is not yet finalised.
Will the Taoiseach accept that it is important to renew the relationships built up by his predecessor, Deputy Reynolds, with the Irish-American community and, most importantly, with President Clinton and the Irish-American Economic Board? The Taoiseach will be aware that the hasty change of Government here and the changes in Congress give cause for great concern among Irish-Americans. Will the Taoiseach outline how he intends to address that? Does he think it desirable that he should spend a considerable amount of time with our friends in the United States over the next few months as we work on the framework document on the North and other important issues?
The answer to the first part of the Deputy's question is yes. I will be meeting not just President Clinton but also senior figures in both Houses of Congress which, as the Deputy said, has a new majority party. I will also be chairing a meeting of the Irish-American Economic Board while in Washington. I regard the activities of the Irish-American Economic Board as of great importance in promoting investment in Ireland and a better understanding of the potential opportunities in the Irish economy among American businessmen generally.
The framework document may not be published by the time the Taoiseach goes to the US, but will he give us his views on how we could facilitate a close involvement in the political dialogue by the representatives of the Loyalist organisations prior to its publication? Will the Taoiseach be talking to some of their colleagues in the US on how we could achieve success in this regard?
I compliment Deputy Ahern on his ingenuity in managing to get in the question he wanted to ask. I am happy to answer it.
Why did the Taoiseach not answer it in the first place?
Because, unlike the Deputies opposite, I believe in sharing responsibility within the partnership Government. I do not believe in doing everything myself. Perhaps it was proclivity towards trying to do everything himself that led to some of the difficulties experienced by Deputy Ahern's predecessor. I am most anxious to facilitiate participation in the political process by the political organisations representing the Loyalist community. I referred to two by name, the Progressive Unionist Party and the Ulster Democratic Party, in a recent reply to Deputy Harney. I will do anything I believe is appropriate to bring them into the political process. For example, I support the moves at the Forum to be involved in Outreach in relation to the Loyalist community — a number of people who do not represent Loyalist political parties but are of a Loyalist political persuasion have already attended and taken part in sessions of the Forum. That is welcome. I wish to express the view also to the British Government that it should do everything possible to involve Loyalist political organisations, as well as Sinn Féin, in constructive dialogue. If there is anything I can do while I am in the United States that is relevant in that regard, I will most certainly do it.
I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. All we want is to be helpful on these issues, but if we are frustrated by only being able to ask questions on a monthly basis, it will become impossible. I know that is not the Taoiseach's wish.
No, it is not.
Does the Taoiseach agree that, in the run up to the publication of the framework document and, more importantly, after its publication, there will be a necessity to find some mechanism of outlining the plans and discussions that take place which would be helpful to the Loyalist organisations? It is frustrating when people believe that there is some plan — I doubt that there is — to frustrate their efforts at participation. Could the Taoiseach find a mechanism to allow people participate at an early date? An early date is more appropriate as, after publication, the Taoiseach may run into difficulties which is not what he nor I would wish. I suggest that prior to publication he look at ways in which he could reach an understanding with Loyalist and Unionist groups as to what can be achieved and how their concerns can be properly dealt with.
This question deals with the Taoiseach's visit to the United States and we are clearly straying very far from that now.
The jet is waiting.
The Taoiseach is going to the United States via Glengall Street.
I have already taken numerous steps — not publicly — not only to acquaint myself with the views of a whole range of Unionist opinion but also to give such reassurances as I can in the most appropriate way about this Government's intentions. It would not be appropriate to go beyond that, however, I encourage all political parties in this House to intensify their contacts with the whole range of political parties in Northern Ireland that support peace and peaceful methods. Contact of this type is extremely useful and when I was on the Deputy's side of the House I took a special interest in it. The more contact by Government members, the Opposition and Government backbenchers the better.
Will the Taoiseach when he meets his counterpart in the United States urge the American administration to permit legal and accountable fund-raising by all political parties from Northern Ireland?
I understand it would not be normal for me to disclose the content of any representation I might make in a matter of that nature to another administration, in this case the United States administration, but I would point out that Sinn Féin is free to engage in legitimate fund-raising in this State and in the United Kingdom and I see no problem with that there.
I believe the Taoiseach is visiting America in March. On the question I tabled to the Taoiseach last week which he saw fit to transfer to the Leader of the Labour Party, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Spring, is he satisfied with the proposed share of the American aid package for Northern Ireland and the South which apparently will be divided between North and South on the same basis as the International Fund for Ireland, that is 25 per cent to the six southern Border counties and 75 per cent to the Six Counties? If he is not satisfied, which I would like to think he is not, will he make representations to President Clinton during his visit to America in March?
Deputy Ahern has demonstrated beyond all doubt why that question was correctly transferred to the Department of Foreign Affairs, as quite clearly it is a matter of international negotiation with the US Government and that is appropriate to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
With all due respects, I asked the Taoiseach if he was satisfied with our proportionate share of the funding but I got no answer to my question.
I have the utmost confidence in the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs' ability to handle this type of matter on behalf of the Government.
What is your opinion on the matter?
You are the Taoiseach, believe it or believe it not.
My question has been asked already by Deputy Bertie Ahern——
Do you want my opinion on everything, including the horse who will win the next race at Fairyhouse?
My concern is for my constituents.
——but I am afraid the Taoiseach did not give it due regard. The matter is a burning question for the American administration who will be looking for advice on the Irish political scene. Will the Taoiseach support Mr. Adams and other parties fundraising in the United States? There is a ban on fundraising in the United States and obviously the Taoiseach will be asked for the Irish Government view on this.
This is clearly repetitious and I will go on to another question.
The question has not been answered.
If Deputies are dissatisfied with the replies of the Taoiseach or Ministers, they have a remedy.
Ask the Tánaiste instead.
My question concerns fundraising. Does the Taoiseach on his planned visit to the United States intend to fundraise on behalf of his own party or on behalf of the Labour Party or Democratic Left?
No.
Speak to the CIS.