asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs in view of the fact that the United Nations has designated 1979 the Year of the Child, if he has made representations to the Soviet Government on behalf of the Jewish children who are being separated from one or other of their parents, particularly those whose fathers are being incarcerated in prison camps and mental institutions because of their ethnic beliefs.
Written Answers. - Russian Jewish Children.
203.
I have not made specific representations in this respect. As I said in my reply to the Deputy's questions concerning related issues on 15 February 1979, there are limits to the extent to which a country such as ours can make effective representations to other countries with different social systems to our own and where Irish citizens are not involved. However, the Deputy will be aware that Ireland, together with her partners in the Nine, is actively pursuing the process initiated at the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe which, in my view, affords the most favourable opportunities for successfully influencing other countries in these matters.
I fully share the Deputy's concern on the issues which he has raised and, in this regard I hope that all Governments will seek to realise the considerable potential afforded by the International Year of the Child for benefiting the economic, social and human conditions of the world's children and for positively reaffirming those fundamental rights and freedoms which every child, without exception, should enjoy.