asked the Taoiseach the matters he intends to raise at his forthcoming meeting with the President of the United States.
2.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meeting with US President.
1.
asked the Taoiseach if he will avail of his forthcoming meeting with the President of the United States to convey to him the concern of Members of this House at the situation in Central America, as expressed in the resolution unanimously passed by the Dáil on 27 April 1983.
3.
asked the Taoiseach if he will avail of his forthcoming meeting with the President of the United States to express concern at increased dangers of nuclear war brought about by the decision of the US Government to station Cruise and Pershing missiles in western Europe.
It is not the practice nor would it be appropriate for me at this point to go in detail into the topics to be discussed at my meeting in the White House, at the President's invitation. I do, however, expect that we will discuss Northern Ireland, investment and employment, EEC-US affairs and other matters affecting relations between our two countries.
Could I ask the Taoiseach if the discussions——
I am extremely sorry. I should have indicated to the House that I was going to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together and I omitted to say so.
I am sure the Taoiseach has the right to take the three questions together but they deal with three separate issues. Could the Taoiseach indicate if, in relation to the discussions concerning Northern Ireland, he proposes to discuss the expected outcome of the New Ireland Forum and if he thinks it wise that the US should be involved in any way with the Northern Ireland situation?
It would be difficult and also improper for me to endeavour to anticipate the results of the New Ireland Forum in such discussions but, as I said, I will be discussing Northern Ireland with the President and informing him on the situation as we see it and of the Government's policy and our hopes for the future.
What role does the Taoiseach see the US having in relation to Northern Ireland? Is it in relation to whatever outcome results from the Forum or does he see the US having some other relationship with us here?
All one can say about that is that the US is a friendly country, the leaders and members of Congress of which have shown an interest and concern for the problem of Northern Ireland over the years, and successive Irish Governments have sought to keep the President and Congress informed and to ensure their continued constructive interest in this problem. I will be pursuing that same path.
In relation to Question No. 2, the situation in Central America, does the Taoiseach propose to raise the question of Fr. Niall O'Brien and his co-accused in the Philippines and the views expressed by responsible people in the Philippines who have expressed doubts about the possibility of a just and fair trial there?
I do not propose to go into more detail than I have about topics. In relation to the matter raised by the Deputy, I cannot predict at this stage what the position in the US will be in respect of the trial. In any event it will be impossible for me to comment. I do not propose to go into more detail than I did in my reply as to the topics that will come up in our discussion.
Is the Taoiseach aware of the very close relationship between the US and the Government in the Philippines? It would be appropriate if the Taoiseach would indicate that he will at least mention the fact of our concern——
The Deputy must confine himself to a question.
——and that of many people about the trial of the people in the Philippines. Could the Taoiseach indicate if he will raise that matter with the President?
I would not indicate so at this point in any event. If I saw any advantage in doing so I would naturally do so but at this stage I do not know what the position will be at the time I meet the President. I would prefer not to go into further detail about the topics under discussion.
Arising from the Taoiseach's reply, in which he referred to the fact that he would discuss the employment problem with the President, what steps does he intend to take while in America to further the request of the Government to meet with the Ford Motor Corporation regarding the future of the Ford plant in Cork?
I could not answer that question at this stage. That matter is still under discussion between the Government and Ford and I would not know at this stage whether there will be anything to be done usefully in the US. If there is while I am there I will certainly do it.
Let me remind the Taoiseach that two of his Ministers indicated——
A question, Deputy.
——some months ago that they had requested a meeting with the management of the Ford Motor Corporation in the US. As a result of that, would he see it wise for him now to pursue the possibility of holding that meeting in the economic interest of Cork and the nation generally?
Not at this moment and this stage.
Why not now?
With respect to the Deputy, I do not think that the matter arises on that question in that form, but in considering what matters to raise in the United States with the people I will be meeting there I will be taking account of the position in respect of those matters at the time I am there, which is a week away. As of this moment I would not propose to take that matter up. That could change in the light of developments in regard to Fords in the meantime.
The Taoiseach's answers are disappointing.
Might I ask the Taoiseach, in view of the fact that President Reagan is coming here later on in the year, is his journey to the United States really necessary at this stage?
That question does not arise on Question Nos. 1, 2 or 3.
I will not pursue it then. Could the Taoiseach tell me is it true that at the time of his visit, or around that time, there will be actually 15 Ministers of this Government in the United States?
That does not arise either.
It is a very interesting question.
A final supplementary from Deputy De Rossa.
First of all, I regard my visit as necessary and useful and trust and believe it will be as much so as the Deputy's visit there as Taoiseach two years ago when he took over from me at short notice and did his best to stand in. A number of Ministers and Ministers of State will be in the United States. We are anxious to ensure that the maximum impact is made at this time of year in the United States in respect of a number of aspects of policy, in particular the development of industry here, the development of tourism at a time when conditions are particularly favourable to that and also to ensure the fullest possible understanding among people in various parts of the United States of the problem in Northern Ireland which is a subject, as the Deputy well knows, of some misunderstanding in that country.
Again, there is the question of Fords in Detroit.
A final supplementary from Deputy De Rossa.
I might ask the Taoiseach, in relation to Question No. 3 concerning the siting of Cruise and Pershing missiles in Europe, if he intends raising the question of the United States withdrawing Cruise missiles from Europe particularly in view of the fact that Ireland is involved in a conference in Stockholm attempting to——
I think my supplementary was more relevant than that.
The Deputy may well be right. In view of the fact that the Government is involved——
The Deputy must confine himself to a question.
Will the Taoiseach raise the question of the withdrawal of Cruise missiles from Europe by the United States in view of the need to re-establish confidence in disarmament talks?
I do not propose to add to the answer I have given already on the subject of the topics for discussion.