HC Deb 30 April 1973 vol 855 cc803-4
Rev. Ian Paisley

I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 9, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely, the condemnation by the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Irish Republic of the behaviour of the Army in the Ardoyne area of Befast, and his subsequent visit to that area. The House is well aware that the Parachute Regiment has been very effective in its campaign in the Ardoyne area against the Irish Republican Army and that its successes have sparked off a vicious propaganda campaign. The Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Irish Republic entered into this campaign and made a certain condemnation of the behaviour of the British Army in the Ardoyne. To the amazement of the people of Northern Ireland he then came to Belfast and began an on-the-spot investigation of the behaviour of the British Army in the Ardoyne area.

It has now emerged from the Foreign Office that the usual diplomatic channels which operate in arranging visits by Ministers of foreign countries to a part of the United Kingdom were not operated in this instance. Dr. Fitzgerald has made it clear that he will go on many excursions to the North of Ireland and that he will participate actively in the domestic affairs of Northern Ireland. I suggest that that would not be tolerated in any other part of the United Kingdom. If the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Irish Republic wants to pass strictures on the British Army he is perfectly entitled so to do, but he is not entitled to come to Belfast and start an on-the-spot investigation of matters that are of domestic—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The issue is not whether the Minister concerned is entitled to go to Belfast. It is whether we should have a debate under Standing Order No. 9.

Rev. Ian Paisley

I suggest that if these events took place in any other part of the United Kingdom or if another Minister of Foreign Affairs for a foreign Government came to start an investigation into a domestic matter, many hon. Members on all sides of the House would want the issue debated. As the Foreign Office has remained silent and has refused to make a public comment on this matter, the people of Northern Ireland are concerned to emphasise that it is just as important to safeguard their diplomatic integrity as to safeguard their territorial integrity.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member was kind enough to give notice of his intention to make the application under Standing Order No. 9 and I have before me the terms of his proposition. I have considered it, but I must say "No". The hon. Member must seek the other ways open to him to pursue the matter.