HC Deb 15 January 1981 vol 996 cc1135-6
8. Mr. Stanbrook

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will describe more fully the "institutional structures" referred to in the communiqué issued by both Governments after the Dublin talks.

Mr. Humphrey Atkins

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has made clear, this is one of the matters that are to be explored. It is one object of the joint studies now being put in hand to consider whether new institutional structures might be devised as a means of developing further the unique relationship between this country and the Republic of Ireland.

Mr. Stanbrook

Whatever those words may mean, will my right hon. Friend confirm that the internal affairs of this part of the United Kingdom are not matters for negotiation with the Irish Republic or any foreign State?

Mr. Atkins

Yes, Sir. The future of Northern Ireland is a matter for the people of Northern Ireland and Parliament. Of course, the Republic is interested because it is next door. The ultimate decisions on what happens in Northern Ireland will be taken here.

Mr. Flannery

Does the Secretary of State not realise that this question underlies the fact that issuing a communiqué after such an important meeting was insufficient and that a proper report back should have been made to the House by the Prime Minister so that we could all have questioned her on precisely what happened? Is he aware that we all think that a great deal more happened than was conveyed in that communiqué?

Mr. Atkins

Hon. Gentlemen should not be so suspicious. That was one of a series of meetings that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister had with other Governments, and the communiqué described accurately what took place.

Rev. Ian Paisley

As the communiqué spoke about the totality of relationships within these Islands, will the Minister explain to the House how different that was from the basis of the Sunningdale talks? Will he give an assurance that as these iniquitous talks go on the House will have an opportunity to receive reports and be able to discuss them?

Mr. Atkins

I was not at Sunningdale so I cannot, from my personal knowledge, give the hon. Gentleman any information about what happened there. I know what happened when my right hon. Friend and I and other members of the Government met the Taoiseach. We discussed a range of matters, which are detailed in the communiqué. We agreed that there were ways of developing the relationship between the Republic and the United Kingdom that ought to be explored, and studies are being put in hand to see how best that can be done.

Mr. James A. Dunn

Will the right hon. Gentleman take note once again that grave anxieties have been expressed about the outcome of the Dublin talks? The communiqué satisfied very few, if any, in this House, and was to the disadvantage of the House and, in particular, of Northern Ireland. Will he take an early opportunity to clarify all the important issues discussed in Dublin, and perhaps seek from his right hon. Friend a commitment that she will come to the House and explain fully the agreements that she made?

Mr. Atkins

This was one of a series of meetings that my right hon. Friend has had with the Prime Minister of a neighbouring country which is also a member of the European Community, and there will be further meetings. I think that the whole House agrees that it makes every kind of sense that we should develop relations between ourselves as best we can. The communiqué points out certain areas where we believe it is worth studying further how best to do this, and we are getting on with it. I shall, of course, be reporting to the House.

Mr. Concannon

Is the Secretary of State aware that these excuses simply do not wash in the House, and that it is for the benefit of the House that we stress that it was a great mistake for the Prime Minister not to issue a statement to the House on her return from Dublin so that she could be questioned, and so that we could have open government, as the Taoiseach has in the South? When the next round of meetings comes up, we shall again press that the Prime Minister should report back so that she can be questioned and so that some of the rumours and innuendoes can be scotched at once.

Mr. Atkins

I do not think that this is a question for me, but I shall take whatever steps are necessary to make certain that my right hon. Friend knows the right hon. Gentleman's point of view.