It is proposed to take Nos. 7 and 8. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that Private Members' Business shall be No. 12 and the proceedings thereon shall be brought to a conclusion at 8.30 p.m.
Order of Business.
Is the proposal for dealing with the Order of Business this evening satisfactory and agreed? Agreed.
Does the Taoiseach agree that the leak in today's edition of the English newspaper The Times, of a version of the Framework Document, which appears to be a very recent draft of that document and certainly one that has been produced since the change of Government on 15 December 1994, is extremely damaging to the national interest? Will the Taoiseach assure the House and the public that he will carry out a vigorous investigation as to who might be responsible?
The matter adverted to by the Deputy is not in order. It is not one for the Order of Business and should be dealt with as a serious matter in a more formal way.
It is a very serious matter.
It is a serious matter and it should be taken seriously.
I would remind the Taoiseach — I do not believe he needs me to remind him — in case it is necessary that a leak of the Irish draft of the Framework Document 18 months ago, in the autumn of 1993, almost wrecked the Downing Street Joint Declaration. Even if the matter is not in order can the Taoiseach, at least, give an assurance that a major and vigorous investigation as to who might be responsible for the second leaking of a document of major national importance will be carried out?
I have ruled on the matter. Does the Taoiseach wish to intervene?
I agree wholeheartedly with Deputy Ahern that any leaking of documents involving important discussions like this is damaging not just to any one national interest but damaging to the entire process towards peace and reconciliation on this island and the interest in that extends far beyond the boundaries of this island.
The Government is working on a balanced Framework Document. Given that it is intended to be a balanced document, any selective leaking of certain parts of it is inherently wrong and misleading, because other phrases that might balance the one that are released are not released and, therefore, the impression created is an unbalanced one. I assure the House, and everybody concerned that this Government's objective — this was true of the previous Government — is to achieve a balanced framework document that is fair to everybody.
This document is a framework for agreement between all the parties concerned. It is not our intention to impose it without ample opportunities for agreement between the parties concerned. Ultimately there will be provision for the people to have their say in a referendum. I will insist that everything be done to trace the source of this leak, wherever it is. I have no evidence to suggest the leak came from any particular quarter — I certainly have no evidence to suggest it came from an Irish quarter. To the extent that it is possible for me to trace the source of the leak, I will insist that it be done.
I want to dissuade Members of the notion that we can debate this matter now.
I will not debate it.
Clearly we cannot do so. I will hear a brief question from the two Deputies who have offered and I will then proceed to other business.
I welcome the Taoiseach's remarks. The journalist concerned claimed this morning that the "ultimate source" of the leak is Dublin and it is for that reason I ask the Taoiseach to carry out a vigorous investigation into its source.
I assure the Government of my full support in trying to agree a balanced framework document. Will the Taoiseach agree there is a pattern in these leaks in that the leak last year and this leak were designed to upset one particular side and the information is not given by anybody who wants to develop the peace process?
I agree with the Taoiseach that the greatest assurance that can be given to the communities in Northern Ireland that nothing will be imposed, is that there will be a referendum so that they ultimately will decide on the matter. The vacuum that has existed in recent weeks — for some time we have been told the document is almost ready — cannot be helpful in present circumstances. I know the Government is very committed to a balanced framework document and I urge the Taoiseach to ensure that we have that document as quickly as possible.
I thank Deputy Ahern and Deputy Harney for the way they have approached this subject this morning. I agree with Deputy Harney that this leak is plainly designed to upset one particular side and that is why it should be treated with scepticism. It is an attempt at news management for a purpose that is difficult to define.
In response to Deputy Ahern who referred to a quotation from a journalist that the "ultimate source" is Dublin, the phrase "ultimate source" has all the marks of weasel-wording. It is not a specific statement that the source is actually Dublin. The phrase could mean almost anything; it could mean that the document was drafted in Dublin, passed to somebody else and leaked by them. It may not necessarily mean that any of the process of the leak occurred here. I warn everybody to analyse words used in this context for their true and full meaning and to particularly pay attention to adjectives such as "ultimate" which are designed to conceal rather than reveal.
On a point of order——
Not on this subject, Deputy. I will hear nothing further on this subject.
My point relates to——
Deputy Leonard may not raise the matter now.
The Taoiseach said the will try to find the source of those leaks. Recently on local radio a member of the Cabinet claimed, when speaking on tourism, that cross-Border structures——
Sorry, Deputy, you are not in order. You will resume your seat.