Vol. 256 No. 4
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether on the occasion of his recent visit to the USA he had any discussions with representatives of the US Government regarding the question of landing rights for US aircraft in this country; and, if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.
25.
andMr. Herbert asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether he made representations to the American State Department with regard to landing rights at Dublin Airport; and, if so, the outcome of such representations.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 25 together.
During my US visit I discussed the landing rights question with Mr. Rogers, the Secretary of State. It would not be appropriate for me to disclose details of the discussion.
Could I ask the Minister whether the Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the occasion of his recent visit to the United States, availed himself of the opportunity to inform American public opinion, by way of public statement, Press conference, otherwise, of the grave implications of this landing rights issue for Ireland? If he did not, why did he not?
That is what I have said. I will quote again. "During my US visit"—that is the visit of my colleague —"I discussed the landing rights question with Mr. Rogers, the Secretary of State. It would not be appropriate for me to disclose details of the discussion."
Why not?
I know the Deputy is genuine in this respect, but one does not disclose details of matters like this before negotiations start. We have to go to the fair yet and deal. We do not disclose details of this kind. We do not sabotage in advance our situation in regard to negotiations.
Surely the Minister will agree that, when a misinformed viewpoint is being expressed not merely in the United States but in this country as well, the Government have some obligation to clarify the situation?
The Deputy will appreciate that the Government's attitude on this matter is that the status quo situation which has obained for a long number of years is the ideal situation. We will have to negotiate, and we will negotiate, in a very hard and tough manner.
Absolutely.
We will not disclose our hand beforehand.
Can the Minister give us an assurance that, in fact, the Government have a real say in this issue at the moment?
They are divided.
I do not know what the Deputy is talking about.
I am asking the Minister can he assure the House that the Government have a say in the deciding of this?
The Deputy is rather incomprehensible. As a sovereign Government the Government will enter into negotiations with the United States.
I do not doubt that when I try to address a question to a Minister like you. I will repeat the question. Have the Government any authority in actual fact in the deciding of this?
The question is still incomprehensible.
I know it is.
Question No. 26.
That is why you are in such a muddle over there.
The Deputy does not even know what this is all about, I am afraid. I am sorry for him because he is limited.
It is not my job to know about it.
The Deputy happens to be a bit limited. Other people know the score.
The Minister's own party are divided.
They are pulling their punches.
They are playing politics. They will sell out.
Order. Question No. 26.
