asked the Minister for External Affairs at what stage, in relation to its invitation to President Nixon to visit Ireland, the Government became aware that he proposed to conduct private US Government business on the national territory.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Visit of President Nixon.
14.
Eighteen months later.
Would the Minister amplify that because I do not understand the answer.
The Deputy wanted to know at what stage, in relation to its invitation to President Nixon to visit Ireland, the Government became aware that he proposed to conduct private US Government business on the national territory. Eighteen months ago our Ambassador in Washington invited President Nixon to Ireland. Eighteen months after, President Nixon came to Ireland and conducted this business of his own here.
May I take it then that the Minister had no knowledge or prior information that President Nixon would conduct this particular business in this country?
No. Not at the time of the invitation.
If the Minister had not such information would his Department make it known to visiting statesmen that we would appreciate it if they would conduct on our soil only matters concerning their hosts and themselves?
Hear, hear.
Would the Minister not interpret from this question that we are in fact placing restrictions on visitors to this country, be they leaders of States or private citizens, as to what subjects they may talk about?
We could ask them to observe ordinary good manners and deal only with our business.
Deputy Cooney's question raises the very important point as to whether it is perfectly legitimate to ask a visiting statesman not to conduct the business of his own government on the soil and in the territory of another independent so-called State.
I should say if I go to Paris I will bring the ambassadors from all the six members of the Community to meet me and do my business. Nobody ever objected to my doing this.
It is quite a different circumstance.
Would the Minister not say that his visit to Paris and that of President Nixon to Ireland are quite different matters?
It could be to Paris or Brussels. I just mentioned one. Our main problem at the moment in Europe is the Community. When I go there I bring all the ambassadors to talk with me. Is there anything wrong with that?
It is quite a different matter.
The Minister is aware, in reference to an earlier question, that there is one European conception about this place that it is a client State of both Britain and the United States? We have got a lot of leeway to make up to prove that we are truly an independent State. It does not help this application to find the American President conducting his own business while on our soil.
You do not have to join Russia to prove your independence.
I am sure the Minister will agree that sending a trade mission to Moscow last week——
This has nothing to do with the question. We cannot have a debate on this matter. I am calling Question No. 15.
I am asking a practical question.
You do not have to join the left wing to prove your independence.
Question No. 15.
If by any talks taking place in Ireland peace in Vietnam became possible it would be a great achievement. I do not think we should take the attitude that if you are not with Moscow you are not independent.
The Minister is indulging in psychedelic answers.
I am not.
I am calling Question No. 15. Might I point out that there are 340 Questions on the Order Paper?
Now that the Minister has shed the adolescent comments he made in relation to this matter——
There is nothing adolescent about that.
——may I put it to him that it is a breach of protocol in the normal sense that any visiting head of State would not communicate to the Irish Government that he intended to conduct extra-curricular activities in relation to consultation with senior officials in this country? It is a matter of courtesy, whether it is President Nixon or anyone else, because it is a head of State to another head of State.
I would like to say that the Labour Party have developed this great capacity for what I call weasel words—I do not accept adolescent statements—to suggest that we are wrong. We gained very great benefit from the presence of the President of the United States here.
I am calling Question No. 15.
If I am in the United States I am entitled to bring my own staff and to conduct business with them.
That is another matter. The President of the United States conducted his own business while he was here.