asked the Taoiseach if it is the intention of the Government or any member of the Government or State-sponsored body under his official responsibility or the responsibility of any member of the Cabinet to arrange any official reception for the racially selected rugby team from South Africa.
Ceisteann—Questions. Oral Answers. - South African Rugby Team.
2.
I am not aware of any such intention.
Would the Taoiseach indicate to the Members of the Oireachtas and to public officials generally the manner in which the Government's clear policy of opposition to and detestation of the racist policies of the Government of South Africa should best be expressed by Irish people in the course of the tour by the South African rugby team?
The Government's policy in relation to apartheid is well known. I shall not tell any Member of the Oireachtas how he should behave in his personal life.
Does the Taoiseach feel in his personal capacity—and, as a sportsman, I might add—that teams of a clear race discriminatory character are generally welcome to these shores?
That seems to be a different matter.
I abhor selection on that basis.
And the Taoiseach will act accordingly?
Is the Taoiseach not aware that there is a political motive behind this tour; that the South African Government regard this tour and its reception as a means of testing the degree of acceptability in other countries of their policy of apartheid? Will the Taoiseach not make some statement in connection with this tour, indicating that it is not acceptable here?
That would seem to be a separate question. The Question relates to an official reception.
I should say, in relation to that, that I am not at all satisfied that the refusal of all contacts—at the sporting level, especially —would be the best best way of bringing to the notice of these people our attitude in relation to discrimination of any kind. I think contacts are useful to bring these points home.
What about the reception of an all-White South Africa rugby team?
I am not receiving them.