Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 23 Jul 1969

Vol. 241 No. 8

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - European Security Conference.

37.

Dr. FitzGerald

asked the Minister for External Affairs why in the Dáil on Wednesday, 16th July, in reply to a question about suggestions by the Italian and Finnish Governments that a European security conference should be summoned, he stated that he was not aware of any Italian initiative in view of the report on 11th April, 1969, that Signor Nenni, the Italian Foreign Minister, has proposed that the NATO alliance meet as soon as possible with members of the Warsaw Pact and that European nations that do not belong to either alliance should also be involved; and whether his Department have responded to this initiative by indicating Irish willingness to participate in such a conference.

38.

Dr. FitzGerald

asked the Minister for External Affairs what diplomatic contacts he has had with the Finnish Government arising out of the recent Finnish proposals for a European security conference; and whether he has indicated to the Finnish Government that the Irish Government would be interested in participating in such a conference.

Minister for External Affairs (Dr. Hillery)

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 38 together.

The Deputy's question of 16th July referred specifically to any initiative taken by my Department in response to suggestions by the Italian and Finnish Governments about a European security conference. Finland was one of four countries which made proposals of this nature to us last April and May, the others being Rumania, Hungary and the USSR. There was no direct approach to us by Italy, although of course we were aware of the views expressed by the Italian Foreign Minister on the subject before his resignation.

The response which was made to the proposals conveyed to us by the four countries follows the general lines which I have already indicated in my reply to the Deputy's question of 16th July.

Dr. FitzGerald

Could the Minister say whether that communication made it clear that we would participate in such conference or whether he has been or will be in communication with the Italian Government in the light of the fact that they took this initiative even if they have not approached us direct?

Dr. Hillery

I told the House already that our embassies abroad have been told that we were, in principle, in favour of anything that would reduce tension in Europe and would participate in such a conference. I think the House accepted, too, that a conference of that kind should have very careful preparation so that any of the conditions laid down or the premises on which it was based would not themselves negative the possibility of good results. The calling of a conference without any result would do more harm than good. As far as I remember, I also told the House that we would not agree to the acceptance of the immutability of boundaries because of our attitude as a nation to the boundary of our own country. That principle is accepted.

Dr. FitzGerald

The Minister has now added to his original statement that we would participate in such a conference.

Dr. Hillery

I do not think it is an addition. I said we would, but that it should be prepared well, and that, because of our attitude to the partitioning of our own country, we would not accept a principle of immutability of national boundaries.

Dr. FitzGerald

Would the Minister take the opportunity, if there is one, of discussing the matter further with the Italian Government?