§ 14. Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he hopes to meet the Foreign Minister of the Irish Republic.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeDr. Hillery and I were both at the summit meeting in Paris on 18th and 19th October. I have no plans for a formal meeting with the Foreign Minister at the moment. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister took 768 the opportunity of the Paris meeting to talk with Mr. Lynch.
§ Mr. McNamaraCan we have more details of the outcome of the talks with Mr. Lynch? In particular, because of the incursions into the six counties from the Republic and now from the six counties into the Republic, is there not a more urgent need for the Governments of both countries—the Irish Government and the British Government—to sit down and hammer out a policy for dealing with the dreadful things that are happening in Northern Ireland?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeYes, Sir I agree with the hon. Gentleman that this is so. We have repeatedly told Mr. Lynch how important it is that the incursions from the Irish Republic should be controlled by the Government of Ireland. Mr. Lynch can he in no doubt about that matter. My right hon. Friend is always willing to meet the Irish Prime Minister.