asked the Minister for External Affairs if having regard to the further incidents of undemocratic government in Greece, he will now take effective action to indicate the disapproval of Ireland as well as the free nations of Europe and the world.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Government in Greece.
46.
Ireland supported the resolution unanimously adopted on 6th May, 1969 by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe which shared the anxiety of the Consultative Assembly over the situation in Greece and reaffirmed the need for a speedy return to a democratic regime in that country.
Has the Minister taken cognisance of the fact that even since then things have gone from bad to worse in Greece; several judges have been dismissed, some of them have since been imprisoned and others have had other punitive measures taken against them? Does the Minister not consider the time has now come for Ireland to take some initiative in this matter and to indicate to the Greek Government that so far as diplomatic relations exist between ourselves and the Greek regime we cannot consider their representative in this country as acceptable any longer as representing a regime which has denied everything for which democracy is supposed to stand?
I think I would be much more deliberate in my behaviour than the Deputy expects of me in relation to this matter.
Would the Minister explain what he means by that?
I represent a Government which was elected by a large majority in this country. This Government represents the people and its actions are not just an individual stunt.
Am I to understand that the Minister does not propose to use the powers vested in him as a member of this Government to protest on behalf of the Irish people at what is occurring?
After only a few days in office, I am not au fait. There is a big responsibility on me. I intend to use it as responsibly and deliberately as I would use any other responsibility placed upon me before now. This means a little more deliberate consideration than may be given by Deputies opposite who are without responsibility.
No doubt the Minister is aware that some international incidents will not wait for his deliberations and that the general tenor of his deliberations should be abridged somewhat in the light of our lack of action on similar matters.
I am quite aware of the seriousness of the position. I am sure the Irish people put us here in Government because of our better behaviour than that of the Deputy and——
Why did the Minister's predecessor not support other European Governments at the Council of Europe with regard to Greece?
Ireland did support the unanimous motion.
Not in the Assembly. Some of the Fianna Fáil representatives in the Assembly supported the Greek junta and disgraced Ireland.
Mr. FitzGerald
Hear, hear.