asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will terminate the appointment of the Honorary Consul in Johannesburg who represents Ireland, as an indication of Ireland's continued displeasure and disapproval of the policies of apartheid which are being maintained by the Government of the Republic of South Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - South Africa's Apartheid Policy.
30.
It is as part of our policy of total disapproval of apartheid that we choose not to have diplomatic relations with South Africa. The Irish Honorary Consul in Johannesburg is, as his title indicates, an honorary appointment. He does not have diplomatic status and does not perform diplomatic functions. His primary role is to assist Irish citizens living in or visiting South Africa. To terminate his appointment would be to cause inconvenience to Irish citizens. The South African Government can be in no doubt regarding the displeasure and disapproval with which its policies of apartheid are held by the Government. Successive Irish Governments have condemned apartheid and the consequential excesses of the South African Government regularly and without equivocation.
31.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, as part of Ireland's development co-operation programme, he will establish a special fund to aid the victims of apartheid who have been forced to flee their own country, South Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ireland, as part of its development co-operation programme, is already contributing to a number of funds which aid victims of apartheid. The funds are administered by UN agencies and include: UN trust fund for South Africa; UN education and training programme for Southern Africa; UN publicity fund against apartheid, and UN high commissioner for refugees. It is not deemed necessary to establish another fund.