Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 26 Jul 1961

Vol. 191 No. 11

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Solution of Berlin Problem.

23.

asked the Minister for External Affairs if in view of the appalling implications for the Irish people in the event of a nuclear war developing between Russia and America over the Berlin question, he will take whatever steps which may be open to him at UNO or elsewhere to emphasise that the Irish people do not believe that the atomisation of the people of Europe is a conceivable or sane solution to the German problem.

I feel sure that the Irish people in common with the peoples of all other countries, are convinced that a nuclear war is not a sane means of solving any of the problems facing the world and that all of them are anxious that everything possible should be done to settle international differences on the basis of law and justice instead of by force.

I see little hope, however, of a permanent solution for the acutely dangerous situation to which the Deputy refers as the "Berlin question" unless it is part of a general solution involving the re-unification of Germany. The Irish delegation in the United Nations will continue to advocate such a solution.

In view of the fact that the Irish advocacy and the advocacy of other countries on this matter appears to have had little or no effect on the continuing belligerency of President Kennedy, who appears to be hell-bent for war, would the Minister not use his special position in the United Nations to consider calling an emergency meeting of the Security Council of the General Assembly in order to have the matter considered and to try to find some way to resolve the impasse between the Russians and Americans on this important matter?

I do not agree with the Deputy's premise in that supplementary.

Could I ask the Minister this? It appears Mr. Kennedy is under the illusion that the countries of the world, and Ireland in particular, want to go to war for the American way of life.

All this is argument.

Would the Minister take steps to let him know that that is not so and that we have considerable contempt for the American way of life——

(Interruptions.)

The Deputy is putting forward a point of view by means of a question.

——and that Europe can look after itself.

Is it not an outrage that the President of the United States should be slandered and insulted in this House while Mr. Khrushchev is raised to a pedestal?

Is it not a fact that the influence of America has saved Britain and Europe twice from their imbecilities in our lifetime?

Barr
Roinn