asked the Minister for External Affairs if Ireland has made or will make efforts in the United Nations or elsewhere to protest against, and bring about an end of, the shelling by the Viet Cong of populated areas in South Vietnam.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Vietnam War.
3.
As the Deputy is aware, the Secretary-General of the United Nations has for several years been using his best endeavours to bring about an end to hostilities in Vietnam.
We have no contact with the Viet Cong but I hope the peace conference in Paris will soon result in the cessation of all acts of war and in an agreement which will provide a firm basis for a stable peace and an energetic reconstruction programme to restore the economy of the sorely stricken people of Vietnam.
Having regard to the real danger of a more serious escalation in the Vietnamese War than any that has yet taken place because of the inexcusable and deplorable shelling of populous areas in South Vietnam, would the Minister not consider that Ireland should take the initiative at the United Nations to call for an end to shelling in South Vietnam on lines similar to the call which was put out by the same body some years ago for an end of the bombing in North Vietnam having regard to the fact that even if the United Nations have no direct or official contact with the Viet Cong there are several member nations of the United Nations which have both direct physical and military contact with the Viet Cong?
The shelling is not confined to either South Vietnam or North Vietnam. I think that all a country in our position can do is to hope that good sense will prevail and that the destruction and deaths that have been inflicted on the Vietnamese people by shellings and bombs coming from all sides will soon come to an end.
Question No. 4.
I am sure the Minister will agree with me that there is little difference between a bomb or a shell if you are killed by it but would the Minister not agree that this shelling is in breach of the understanding which was arrived at which brought the end of the bombing of certain areas in North Vietnam and that the continuation of shelling of populated areas with little military interest of South Vietnam is almost certain to bring about a resumption of the very bombing which was condemned by some people at the time?
I am not in a position to interpret whatever agreements were made between them. I do not know.
Question No. 4.
Would the Minister not ensure that the Department of External Affairs would do something besides doing nothing except shrugging shoulders?
Would Deputy Ryan allow Questions to continue?