asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his attitude to the current tour of Latin American countries by the Irish national soccer team; and whether he expressed any reservations to the Football Association of Ireland on the inclusion of Chile in the tour in view of the continued violations of human rights in that country.
Written Answers. - National Soccer Team Tour.
147.
As far as the first part of the Deputy's question is concerned, the decision of the Irish national soccer team to tour a number of Latin American countries was a matter for the Football Association of Ireland.
With regard to the second part, as the Deputy is no doubt aware, Ireland's stand on the question of human rights in Chile has been forthright and consistent. We have voted for and frequently cosponsored, the United Nations General Assembly resolution on Chile every year since it was first tabled in 1974. The record of the Chilean Government has been condemned in this House by my predecessors and others on many occasions, and I have no hesitation in adding my voice to that condemnation.
However, the question of sport has not been linked with the human rights policy of the Chilean Government as, for example, is the case in South Africa, nor has the issue of sporting contacts with Chile arisen at the United Nations.
The Government, therefore, did not feel that it was appropriate to express reservations to the Football Association of Ireland about the inclusion of Chile in the tour.
The Deputy may also wish to be aware that Ireland played Chile in Santiago on 12 May 1974 when the human rights situation in that country was at its worst.