§ 13. Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has received any representations on the future consititutional arrangements for Northern Ireland from the Government of the Republic of Ireland since the general election in the Republic.
§ Mr. Humphrey AtkinsNo, Sir.
§ Mr. CanavanEven if Charles Haughey manages to hang on to power by the skin of his teeth, does not the result of the Irish general election show that there is considerable opposition to the Government's mishandling, not only of the H-block issue, but of the constitutional changes that are essential if we are to undo the damage done by the British Government, who have created and maintained the gerrymandered division of Ireland for more than half a century?
§ Mr. AtkinsAt this time on a Thursday, I do not think that I should take up all the ramifications of the hon. Gentleman's points. Obviously, I am only an outside observer, but, as far as I can judge, the issues at stake in the general election in the Republic concentrated more on matters within the Republic than on those to which he referred.
§ Mr. KilfedderWill the right hon. Gentleman emphatically reject the demands made by the election agent of one of the criminals in the H-block who has been elected to the Dublin Parliament? He has demanded that he should be allowed greater access to the successful candidate.
§ Mr. AtkinsNo such demand has been made to me. If it is, I shall remember what the hon. Gentleman has said.
§ Sir John Biggs-DavisonWill my right hon. Friend reflect on the fact that nothing strengthens the IRA's delusion that the British can be bombed or bored out of Ireland more than the constant scribbling and chattering about political initiatives, political options and political talks?
§ Mr. AtkinsYes, Sir. I hope that it is clear to everbody that we cannot be bombed out of Northern Ireland and that the Government will continue to discharge their responsibilities to those of their citizens who live in the Province.