asked the Taoiseach the reply he proposes to give to Mr. Faulkner's demand that the Irish Government concede extradition and also give full recognition to the Six Counties.
3.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Northern Ireland Policy.
2.
asked the Taoiseach whether he proposes to respond to the invitation of the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to clarify his Government's intentions with regard to the Six Counties.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 3 together.
The Commission on Law Enforcement, which was set up following the Sunningdale Conference, has been examining the proposals put forward at that conference for dealing with those who commit crimes of violence in any part of Ireland. They have been asked to do this as a matter of urgency. Pending the outcome of the commission's studies, it would not be appropriate to comment.
As regards the Government's position on the status of Northern Ireland, I would refer the Deputy to the statement I made in the House this morning.
May I ask the Taoiseach whether in fact the interpretation of his statement this morning, in which he gives part reply to one of my questions, can be read only as according to the majority in the Six Counties an everlasting and indefinite right to make claim to the territory of the Six Counties to the exclusion of the remainder and the large majority of the Irish people? Is that not what in effect the Taoiseach said today in his statement?
My statement was dealing with the realities of the situation. I think the Deputy is a man who, when he is dealing with mundane affairs, is probably realistic enough and will recognise that verbal patriotism is no substitute for realism as a solution to the complex problem of the North of Ireland.
I fully subscribe to the idea that realism is a very necessary ingredient in most matters and particularly in this one. Following on that, may I ask the Taoiseach whether the realism and the realistic situation is that, as per the Declaration made at Sunningdale, the right of the majority of the Irish people to determine their own future, the future of the whole island, is now in fact not only jeopardised but is thrown out of the window?
I am not going to engage in verbal quibble. I am dealing in realities. I have made my statement. It is clear and I have nothing to add to it.
One last thing: it is this—that if we are dealing in realities, and I would hope that we should be, the reality is——
A question, Deputy, please.
Could I ask the Taoiseach would he not agree that the reality must surely be that before any question of giving what is given in the Declaration at Sunningdale— that of the right of the majority in part of our country to opt in or out— until the British Government takes its presence out of this country that Declaration is not dealing with realities in any shape or form?
Question No. 4.