asked the Taoiseach if the Government have asked the Commission of the European Communities to take action to protect human rights and fundamental liberties in Northern Ireland having regard to the duty given to the Commission under Article 155 of the Treaty of Rome and the assertion of respect for human rights in the three treaties constituting the European Communities; and if not, why.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Human Rights in Northern Ireland.
2.
No such approach has been made by the Government. I am advised that the Treaties do not give the Commission a competence in the matter to which the Deputy refers.
Has the Taoiseach looked at Article 155 of the Treaty of Rome?
Yes, I have looked at the article.
Is he satisfied that they have not got the duty as stated?
I am satisfied that they have not the power to act under that article as the Deputy suggests.
I put down a question to the Taoiseach ten days ago about this matter of the EEC and I do not understand why it has not appeared on the Order Paper.
This is not a matter for discussion in the House at this time. If the Deputy wants to find out why he could see me about it in my room. Since the Deputy has raised the matter, I should like to tell him that his question, as drafted, was argumentative and such questions are always ruled out of order.
With respect, it was not argumentative. There was no argument whatever in it.
I did not see it at all.
I accept that.
Well, take it up with the Ceann Comhairle as he suggests.
This is not the first time. On a number of other occasions questions of mine have been refused in this fashion. It is not right to say that it was argumentative. I refute the suggestion. There was no argument whatever in the question. It was a simple why and there was nothing else in the question.
I should like to inform the Deputy that even if it had been a direct question on associate membership it would have had to be treated as a repeat of another question that was answered in this House and for that reason it would not have been allowed.
This is not correct. I was shown the other question and it related to a trade agreement which is a different thing altogether.
The matter was dealt with in a reply to Question No. 1 of 15th December.
The Ceann Comhairle can say what he likes but that is not correct. It was not a repeat question. A global answer was given by the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The Minister for Foreign Affairs has refused time and again to answer questions from me on various issues of this sort. I will not put up with it any longer.
The Deputy should remember he is not in class when he is in the Dáil.
Not in his own class anyway.
The Taoiseach should remember not to make these sort of dirty remarks.
What class was the Taoiseach in on Sunday when he was shaking hands with his former enemies?
Order. Question No. 3.