asked the Taoiseach when he proposes to meet the new British Prime Minister.
2.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meeting with British Prime Minister.
1.
asked the Taoiseach whether the subject matter of the Tánaiste's May 3 speech urging the new British Government to address itself to the Northern problem, would be the subject of discussion at any meeting arranged with the new British Prime Minister.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.
I shall be visiting London tomorrow to fulfil a long-standing private engagement and will pay a courtesy call on the Prime Minister. Northern Ireland will be among the subjects touched upon in our discussion which will of necessity be of short duration.
Arising out of the Tánaiste's reply on behalf of the Taoiseach, will the meeting which will be of short duration refer to the subject of the Tánaiste's own speech on 3 May or is that to be reserved to a later meeting?
That is not a relevant question.
Arising out of the Tánaiste's reply in relation to the second question which refers to a meeting to discuss the subject matter of the Tánaiste's own speech, am I to understand that such a meeting is visualised to discuss Northern Ireland and will it include the interpretation of majority Northern Ireland opinion referred to in the Tánaiste's own speech?
I have already replied to Question No. 2.
This is a supplementary question.
It is the same question.
There is a particular interpretation given by the Tánaiste in his speech of 3 May of "majority Northern Ireland opinion". Is that the substantive view of the Government of majority Northern Ireland opinion?
In so far as the Deputy is asking me about the speech it is simply a reiteration of Government policy which has been outlined on a number of occasions by the Taoiseach.
I simply wish to say that I welcome this early, even if brief, contact between the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister and hope that it can lead to substantive discussion at an early date.
I had intended to rise to congratulate the Tánaiste on his speech of 3 May but now I am not too sure.
Let us have the question, please.
Is what we read and what was reported on radio and repeated by the Tánaiste on a radio interview to the effect that the British should declare their intention to withdraw and that their continued guarantee to the majority in the Six Counties that they would stay was a cause of the intransigence, not to mention the policy, of the unionist people up there, what was intended?
That is a separate question. The question relates to the Taoiseach's visit to the British Prime Minister and the subject matter of what might be discussed does not arise.
On the policy on the North of Ireland I would expect that would be the first thing that would be discussed. Is that Government policy?
May I ask a supplementary question?
The Deputy has asked quite a few questions already.
The Deputy Prime Minister made a speech relating to a meeting between the Irish Prime Minister and the British Prime Minister. Is the subject matter of the Tánaiste's speech now Government policy? That is the substantive supplementary which is relevant.
I have replied to that already.
What has the Tánaiste replied in relation to—his speech or the policy?
I have already indicated that what I said was in accordance with Government policy as outlined on a number of occasions by the Taoiseach. Perhaps if I used the phrase "steel wall", which the Taoiseach used, the Deputies will recall one occasion on which the Taoiseach outlined Government policy.
I recall so many occasions that I am utterly confused.
This is one occasion when I have to agree with Deputy Blaney.
(Interruptions.)