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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 8 Nov 1950

Vol. 123 No. 3

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - British Naval Craft Visits.

asked the Taoiseach whether he is aware that there is considerable public resentment at the visits paid by British naval craft to ports in the 26 counties of our country over which we have effective control, and if he will indicate to the British Government the Irish Government's view that visits of units of the British forces or navy are provocative and unwise while Britain continues to occupy the Six Counties with units of those same armed forces.

The exchange of visits by naval craft of countries which are in diplomatic relations with one another, as we are with Britain, takes place from time to time as a matter of ordinary international courtesy and has no implications whatever in regard to any questions, however important, that may be outstanding between the countries concerned. The British Government are fully aware of the strong feeling which exists in this country concerning the Partition of Ireland, and the Deputy can rest assured that every step that can usefully be taken by the Irish Government will be taken.

While keeping the matter in proper perspective and giving due weight to the considerations mentioned by the Taoiseach, will the Taoiseach not agree that these visits of units of British armed naval forces to our shores must be viewed against the background of the occupation of six of our counties? Further, will the Taoiseach not agree that at least it would be well to discourage the activities of local shoneens in Irish ports who avail of these visits in order to parade their anti-national and anti-Irish sentiments?

I do not know that there is any very solid ground for the suggestion contained in the latter part of the Deputy's statement. In regard to the first part—that the matter must be viewed against the background of Partition—of course, every problem must be viewed against that background, and is so viewed.

I might suggest to the Deputy that if certain action were taken it might very readily tend, so far from improving our prospects of the early ending of Partition, to postpone it. The matter has to be approached with very great caution.

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