asked the Taoiseach whether he now proposes to meet Mr. Wilson as a preliminary step to the convening of a tripartite meeting between representatives from West-minister, Stormont and this Government.
14.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meeting with British Prime Minister.
13.
asked the Taoiseach if it is his intention to seek a meeting with the Prime Ministers of Northern Ireland and Britain to discuss recent political developments North and South.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 14 together.
I am quite prepared to propose a meeting when I judge it appropriate to do so.
We trust it will not be put on the long finger as was the promise of the Taoiseach a long time ago that he was seeking a meeting with Mr. Wilson. This never materialised and there was no evidence that the Taoiseach was very anxious to meet Mr. Wilson after his original statement.
I was always conscious of the implications that such a meeting would have at a particular time. I think a meeting now would have deep implications and it could give rise to over-optimistic expectations in some quarters and, perhaps, to unwarranted fears in other quarters that might lead to unfortunate results. I think it is better to leave that matter to my judgment.
Perhaps the Taoiseach will consult with some of his colleagues because Deputy Faulkner, the Minister for Education, in his speech here yesterday suggested that this would be the right thing to do now. I know the Taoiseach has to consider all these things but I think he should give serious consideration to it.
I do not think he said it would be the right thing to do now but I think it is a desirable thing that people should get together and discuss the furture situation.
Is the Taoiseach, in fact, when using the term "not appropriate" thinking of visiting the next British Government after the general election? Is this the feeling of reluctance on the Taoiseach's part?
I have no knowledge of when the election will be.
Neither have we, but we all have our ideas. Would the Taoiseach agree that only a week before this crisis broke in the country he did not consider the time appropriate for a debate on Northern Ireland, despite our request that it was necessary to have one? Would he agree, in the light of the obvious necessity at that time of having a debate on Northern Ireland, that at this stage he should reconsider his ground of appropriateness of action in seeing the British Minister? It is quite clear from the attitude of his party now that the British Government had a vital role to play and you admit they have a vital role to play in preserving peace in the north.
We cannot have any further discussion on this question.
Therefore, the Taoiseach should have a meeting with them at the earliest opportunity.
I have always said that, that we are entitled to be consulted about the situation in the north. I said that as far back as my Tralee speech. I have maintained it ever since and I will continue to do so but on the other hand——
One final question——
The Deputy decides when the final question is to be put. I assume that is the Ceann Comhairle's function. The Deputy will not give me a chance to reply. It puts me off. I still say that circumstances change from time to time, that one matter or another happened that in my opinion made it inappropriate to have a meeting at particular times.
In view of the fact that the view is very strongly and widely held in Britain that the general election will be on the 18th June, would the Taoiseach not consider it propitious that he should set in motion steps to have such a tripartite meeting as a matter of urgency?
I think that is a matter that must be left to my judgment having regard to all the circumstances.