Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Jan 1990

Vol. 394 No. 8

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Anglo-Irish Agreement.

Proinsias De Rossa

Ceist:

13 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Taoiseach if he intends to follow up the statement issued by him on 22 January 1990, responding to comments made by a number of Unionist politicians, with any specific proposals or steps; if, in view of the stated position of most Unionist politicians that the continued operation of the Anglo-Irish Agreement in its present form represents an obstacle to political progress, the Government will consider any change or adjustment to the workings of the agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Proinsias De Rossa

Ceist:

14 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Taoiseach if, in relation to the public statement issued by him on 22 January 1990, he will outline the new and more comprehensive arrangements he envisages which could transcend the Anglo-Irish Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dick Spring

Ceist:

15 Mr. Spring asked the Taoiseach if he will communicate in writing with Unionist leaders in the North of Ireland, outlining in full the contents of his statement of 22 January 1990 and particularly emphasising his commitment that he will regard any dialogue with Unionist leaders as being without prejudice to their position vis-à-vis the Anglo-Irish Agreement.

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 14 and 15 together.

As I said in my statement on 22 January, I welcome the recent comments by Mr. Nicholson and Mr. Allen and I share their view of the pressing necessity to create hope for the future, and to create new stable relationships in Northern Ireland and Ireland as a whole based on mutual trust and respect and regard for each other's rights and traditions.

As I said in my statement, I would welcome hearing Unionist concerns at first hand and would place no restriction on the agenda for such a meeting which would take place without prejudice to the Unionist position on the agreement. Any such meeting would, in my view, focus very substantially on the development of the three sets of relationships in and between these islands, that between the communities in the North, between North and South and between Britain and Ireland.

I do not consider that it would be appropriate or helpful to make any further comment at this time. As to the suggestion that I communicate in writing with Unionist leaders, it is clear from their public comments that they are fully aware of the content of my statement.

Proinsias De Rossa

In what way is the statement of 22 January different from the Taoiseach's previous statement on the matter of Northern Ireland, on the possibility of talks within Northern Ireland or between North and South? In issuing his invitations to the Unionist leadership will he confirm or deny that such talks are not being expressed by him as a precondition for developments within Northern Ireland and that he is not seeking for them to take place before any other talks take place within Northern Ireland itself?

The Taoiseach

There are no preconditions.

Proinsias De Rossa

I am asking the Taoiseach to put that on record.

An Ceann Comhairle

I call Deputy Dick Spring.

The Taoiseach

I have already said I do not wish to make any further comment at this stage.

Mr. Spring

Could I seek some clarification on a number of matters in relation to these questions? First, as the Taoiseach has stated publicly that he would have no difficulty with a new arrangement or new agreement which would transcend the Anglo-Irish Agreement, will he outline to the House what aspect or elements would be contained in such an agreement? Secondly, have the Government given consideration to the question which is being raised constantly by Unionist politicians of the suspension for a limited time?

The Taoiseach

I do not think it possible to attempt to formulate what might be in some new agreement which would transcend or supersede the existing Anglo-Irish Agreement. That could emerge only out of discussions or negotiations. It would be very complex and, I imagine, very arduous. As regards the position of the Anglo-Irish Agreement, I think I made that very clear in the statement I issued.

Mr. Spring

The question was specific. Have the Government given consideration to this question? Perhaps they have concluded that they will not be in favour of the suspension or non-operation, as the Unionist politicians are saying. Will the Taoiseach clarify whether they have given consideration to that matter?

The Taoiseach

As I said in my statement, the Anglo-Irish Agreement has been honoured by the Irish and the British Governments as a binding international agreement between two sovereign Governments. We have respected that binding quality and since assuming office my Government have implemented the agreement effectively. I would like to reiterate the Government's commitment to continuing to work the agreement fully unless and until it is transcended by a new and more comprehensive arrangement.

Mr. Dukes

Will the Taoiseach agree that the outcome of any consultations of the kind contemplated as a background to these questions would necessarily have to deal with questions of the three relationships to which he himself has referred? If that is the case, is he prepared to say, or to consider saying, he would give an advance indication of this Government's willingness to endorse the outcome of such consultations and to make that statement with a view to encouraging those who should be involved in the consultations to do so in the knowledge that no prior conditions were being set?

The Taoiseach

I am not sure to what the Deputy is referring, but I am aware of a statement he made recently which I failed completely to understand——

Mr. Dukes

Not for the first time.

The Taoiseach

——namely, that if some other parties came together, had discussions and reached some form of agreement, this Government and the British Government would in advance underwrite and endorse that agreement. I could not possibly subscribe to that.

Mr. Dukes

Will the Taoiseach not agree — I am trying to be helpful and constructive in saying this — that in order to be successful the outcome of any consultations between the parties involved in the widest sense would necessarily have to include consideration of the three sets of relationships which the Taoiseach himself has defined as have other people, as being important? Will he agree that if consultations were to be successful and fruitful, they would have to deal with those relationships? Would he not say, since that is the case, that he and his Government will be prepared to back the result of any such consultations?

The Taoiseach

I could not possibly commit this Government, this House or the Irish people, to endorsing in advance the outcome of some discussions or negotiations, to which I assume the Deputy means we would not be party——

Mr. Dukes

No.

The Taoiseach

We would not be party to them?

Mr. Dukes

No, I do not mean that at all.

The Taoiseach

That is what I thought the Deputy said when he was in Derry but if it is something else I will read his statement again.

Mr. Spring

As Unionist politicians in the North, particularly the Deputy Leader of the DUP, seem to be saying that they would enter into discussions if the Government gave an indication of the non-operation of the Secretariat or the Anglo-Irish Conference, have the Government considered the suspension of the conference or are they prepared to give that consideration?

The Taoiseach

I have already given my reply to that. The statement I made was in response to particular statements made by Mr. Nicholson and Mr. Allen and in response to what they said I gave a fairly comprehensive and complete reply, I have read again to the Deputy what that statement contained, namely, that this Government and the British Government have implemented the Anglo-Irish Agreement fully and effectively to the best of their ability and until such time as it is superseded or transcended by a new and more comprehensive agreement we propose to continue to work the agreement. I do not wish to go any further at this stage.

An Ceann Comhairle

Question No. 16 please. We shall be dealing with Priority Questions at 3.30 p.m.