With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 41 together.
In reply to somewhat similar questions from the Deputies on 12th April, 1961, I explained our attitude in regard to clauses in apartheid resolutions calling for the breaking off of diplomatic relations with South Africa and the imposition of trade sanctions. I pointed out then that we supported resolutions and clauses of resolutions condemning apartheid but that in our belief resolutions calling for sanctions would hinder rather than help the ending of apartheid.
At the present session of the General Assembly the Irish delegation voted against the Afro-Asian resolution on apartheid on the grounds that it contained sanction clauses and called on the Security Council, if necessary, to consider the expulsion of South Africa from the organisation. We had supported a motion calling for a separate vote on the contentious clauses. As these objectionable clauses were retained in the resolution, we were obliged to vote against it. Had the motion been carried we would have, as in previous years, voted for the clauses condemning apartheid and calling for its abolition and voted against the clauses calling for the imposition of sanctions and the expulsion of South Africa from the United Nations.