asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that a number of Members of the Oireachtas have recently visited that part of Cyprus now occupied by Turkish forces, apparently as guests of the illegal regime in that area; if the Minister was consulted before the trip; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers - Oireachtas Members' Cyprus Visit.
14.
I am aware of the visit in question, which took place during the summer of this year. On hearing of the proposed visit, I made efforts to discourage the Members of the Oireachtas concerned from proceeding with their plans and I made fully clear the Government's position on the question of Cyprus. Regrettably, not all of those who intended to make the visit heeded my advice, and in the event, some Members of the Oireachtas went ahead with the visit.
While the decision by public representatives, acting in a personal capacity, to accept invitations to visit Northern Cyprus is a matter for the individuals concerned, the Government for their part have made clear from the outset their rejection of the purported creation there of an independent state by the Turkish Cypriots. Indeed I stated the Government's policy in full in response to a question in this House on 14 December last.
Following the visit, I wrote to all those Member of the Oireachtas who had been involved and reminded them of the policy of successive Irish Governments which supports fully the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of Cyprus.
Is the Minister aware that following the visit of the Fainna Fáil group to the northern region of Cyprus one member remarked that he could find nothing wrong with the area?
That seems to be a separate question.
I am not aware of that — I have not seen those reports. If it is true that these statements were made I would expand my answer.