Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 Feb 1996

Vol. 461 No. 2

Written Answers. - Embassy Function.

John Ellis

Question:

64 Mr. Ellis asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the British Members of Parliament who were lunched by the Irish Ambassador prior to the issue of the Mitchell report; and the documents presented to them. [2717/96]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

As part of the Embassy's normal contacts with British public and political opinion, several members of the Conservative Backbench Committee on Northern Ireland attended a private luncheon in the Irish Embassy on 23 January hosted by the Ambassador. The engagement was a long-standing one. The members of Parliament were invited on the basis of their involvement in Anglo-Irish affairs and plans by some members of the Committee to visit Ireland in the near future.

Discussion at the lunch covered a range of topics of mutual interests to Ireland and Britain, including developments in the Northern Ireland peace process. The Ambassador took the opportunity to outline the Government's policy on the peace process and to respond to questions and points raised on the basis of the Government's publicly stated position. There was no formal briefing; no documents were exchanged, circulated or quoted from; and no breach of confidence occurred.

The Deputy will appreciate that it is not normal practice to name those attending private functions of this kind.