asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on his recent meeting with Mr. Heath.
4.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Discussions with British Prime Minister.
3.
asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the matters discussed during his recent meeting in New York with the British Prime Minister.
5.
asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement in relation to his discussions in New York with the British Prime Minister; if these discussions included EEC membership, the unity of Ireland and special welfare services for Irish emigrants in Britain; and the range of subjects so discussed and the results of such discussion.
6.
asked the Taoiseach if it is the intention of the Government to take any further initiatives concerning the current internal situation in Northern Ireland; and if he will state the outcome of any discussions on this matter which he may have had with the British Prime Minister.
7.
asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on his discussions with the British Prime Minister in New York on 21st October; and if he will indicate what guarantees he sought for the implementation of reforms in the Six-County area.
8.
asked the Taoiseach whether any consideration was given to the possibility of tripartite talks between Belfast, London and Dublin, in the course of his recent discussions with Mr. Heath.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 to 8 together.
I discussed with Mr. Heath many matters of mutual interest, including the application of both our countries for EEC membership, the working of the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement and the situation in the North. On this last subject I expressed my views about the quality and speed of reform.
It would be inappropriate for me to go into further detail on the subjects discussed.
Our conversation was cordial and very useful. We agreed to meet again next year, and further meetings could then be arranged.
Would the Taoiseach say whether he gave any indication to the British Premier that the best way of obtaining a Government in the south of Ireland which would be united in commitment to a peaceful solution of the Irish problem would be by having an early general election and his own replacement?
The Deputy is being facetious.
The Deputy is being serious on the most serious question on which the Irish people are now united.
Would the Taoiseach say whether or not he expressed satisfaction with the operation of the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement?
I do not think it would be right that conversations like this should be disclosed in detail, but I went into all aspects, or as many as I could in the time at my disposal, relating to our interest in the proper functioning of the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement.
May we take it the Taoiseach did not query the operation of this agreement which has been disastrous for Ireland?
As a result of this meeting was the Taoiseach so confirmed in his confidence in Mr. Heath and the Stormont Prime Minister as to express in the United Nations some days later his total confidence in their handling of problems in this area? In other words, was information passed to the Taoiseach, in his meeting with Mr. Heath, which confirmed and underlined the correctness of his speech at the United Nations in New York? What reasons led the Taoiseach to make that surprising speech at the United Nations in New York?
I did not use the word "confidence". I said I was satisfied with the sincerity of purpose of the present Prime Minister of Northern Ireland and of his predecessor.
Would the Taoiseach inform this House if a Dáil majority of his party now accepts unequivocably the statement of policy as enunciated by him at the United Nations in New York?
That is a separate question. It does not arise on the Order Paper.
It is about time we found out. This House has been treated with contempt.
I am calling Deputy L'Estrange.
May I have a reply from the Taoiseach to my specific question?
The Deputy may have a reply if I so wish. The policy I have stated is and always has been the policy of Fianna Fáil.
Deputies
Hear, hear.
Which policy?
Did the Taoiseach discuss with the British Premier or did the British Premier inform the Taoiseach that he was about to impose levies on our exports to Britain which may seriously affect our agricultural producers in the near future and which are in breach of the Free Trade Area Agreement entered into between this country and Britain?
We had already received communication of proposals to impose levies. That matter has been taken up.
Further arising out of the Taoiseach's reply, when will that matter be taken up? Is the Taoiseach aware that this will seriously affect our agricultural exports? This is about the fourth breach of this agreement by the British Government. The Taoiseach and the Irish Government have stood idly by in the past three years while more and more breaches of this agreement have been committed by the British Government.
We cannot have a discussion——
Will the Taoiseach please inform the Dáil how he proposes to implement the guarantee he has repeatedly said he was providing for the minority in the North of Ireland? If you give a guarantee you indicate how you will implement it.
In our own way.
How can the Taoiseach guarantee something which is outside his jurisdiction when he cannot even guarantee the actions or the elementary veracity of his colleagues?
Without wishing to usurp the functions of the Chair, might I point out that this does not arise from the question. In any event, I can give my guarantees in my own way and implement them in my own way.
May I put a supplementary question to the Taoiseach in relation to Question No. 5? In the course of his discussion with Mr. Heath, was any reference made by the Taoiseach to the wish of the Irish Government for the urgent provision of special welfare services for Irish emigrants? Was any reference made to the plight of Irish emigrants and to the need for special care and special services for them?
It would be improper for me to disclose all details of a conversation I have had with the Prime Minister of Britain. Were I to do so, it would render these conversations valueless. I am sure Deputies opposite will appreciate that.