asked the Taoiseach if he proposes to take any action on the proposal of the Nationalist Party in the North to seek to establish a joint working party to consider his proposals for federation.
2.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unification of Ireland.
1.
asked the Taoiseach if he will enlarge on his proposals for a federal arrangement between the Republic and the Six Counties of Northern Ireland, which were made at Tralee; and what constitutional changes will be necessary to put these proposals into operation.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Question Nos. 1 and 2 together.
The Nationalist Party have suggested the creation of a working party to examine in detail the social, economic and other problems that might at present be proving obstacles to the realisation of the desire for unity. As I indicated in Dáil Éireann on the 22nd October (columns 1407 and 1408) such matters, including constitutional questions, are, in fact, in course of examination, and this remains the position.
Would the Taoiseach agree that his only interest in the north is in the effects, or possible effects, of developments there on the political balance inside the Twenty-six Counties?
I have a lot of other interests besides that. It is one of them.
Was there an official communication from the Nationalist Party to him, as Taoiseach, or to the Government or was it just the speech at their annual conference?
That is right. There was none.
Is the Taoiseach now in a position to enlarge on his proposals for a federal arrangement? If it is to be put into effect by way of a change in the Constitution, he must admit that any change must be based on his proposals, proposals which he has not enlarged upon.
I would not propose to enlarge on them at this stage nor at a later stage until such time as some consultation has taken place. We could then work on proposals that would emerge, particularly with a view to any amendment that might be necessary in the Constitution.
Apart from the federal arrangement are we to take it that the Taoiseach has nothing concrete to propose at this stage?
The federal arrangement has been proposed over the past 40 years or perhaps more. It was an indication of the willingness on our part to examine any possibility that would be a move towards unity. In the meantime, I have had some working documents on the whole idea generally, the contents of which I would not wish to disclose at this stage.
The Taoiseach has referred in his reply just now to consultations which are to take place at some time in the future. Could he say with whom these consultations will take place? Would he not agree that they should include the other parties of this House and all those interested in Northern Ireland who are concerned to create a normal and just society in that part of the country, that is, not just the Nationalist Party but other possible groups and possibly even members of the Unionist Party who are opposed to the present regime of privilege?
Consultations would obviously envisage inter-Governmental consultations. The Government of the day would be the party responsible——
Question No. 3.
In his April speech, the Taoiseach referred to intermediate stages to an agreed and final solution. So far, we do not know anything further about what the Taoiseach has in mind. Could he give the House any indication of his thinking on "intermediate stages"?
That again was obviously envisaged in the context of discussion and consultation and the intermediate stages emerging as a result of these discussions. In any event I do not think it would be expected of me, nor would it be very prudent of me or statesman-like of me, if I put all the cards on the table at this stage, even if I had a full pack.
The Taoiseach has had consultations, I assume, with the Nationalist Party and possibly the Government of the Six Counties. Will the Taoiseach now state, as requested by Deputy FitzGerald, that he will also have talks with other political interests in the Six Counties?
I think it would be wrong to have discussions or consultations only with the Nationalist Party. That would be rather divisive in my opinion.
Question No. 3.
Can the Taoiseach say——
Will Deputy FitzGerald allow questions to continue? I have called Question No. 3.