asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the present position of relations between the Government and the opposition parties in Northern Ireland as clarification is necessary in view of recent statements by the Chief Whip of the SDLP.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Government Relations with Northern Ireland Opposition.
1.
The following is an extract from a statement made by the Social Democratic and Labour Party on the 11th March, 1972:
The party also discussed the question of our relations with the government and parties in the South, with particular reference to recent statements by Mr. Devlin. The party fully accepts that Mr. Devlin made it absolutely clear that his statements on this question were purely personal ones and did not commit his party colleagues.
For the purpose of clarification we would re-state our position in regard to relations with all parties in the South. We believe that on the Northern question we should maintain good relations with both the Government and opposition in the South and will continue to meet the government and opposition leaders in order to produce maximum unity in the approach to our problem in the North. More frequent consultations with them all will be necessary in the coming days.