HC Deb 25 February 1982 vol 18 cc976-8
10. Mr. Flanne

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has any plans to meet the representatives of the new Government of the Republic of Ireland.

12. Mr. Canava

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will arrange to meet the Taoiseach to discuss matters of mutual concern.

15. Mr. O'Halloran

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has for a meeting with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

21. Mr. Kilfedder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has any plans to meet the r ew Prime Minister of the Republic of Ireland.

Mr. Prior

I have no immediate plans to do so, but I look forward to continuing regular contact with Members of the Irish Government.

Mr. Flannery

Does the Secretary of State agree that it is in the interests of everyone concerned with Ireland and Northern Ireland that the:3e conversations, which we understand have so far proved useful, should continue? As these conversations will mean ultimate peace in Northern Ireland, will he assure us that he will not allow the sectarian voices that have been raised in the North against such discussions to hamper the continuation of this series of discussions?

Mr. Prior

I do not want to comment on the latter part of the hon. Gentleman's question. In answer to the first part, it is perfectly right that consultations should continue on a variety of subjects between the Government of the United Kingdom and that of the Republic.

Mr. Canavan

Will the Secretary of State arrange an early meeting with the Taoiseach, whoever that may be after the Dail meets on 9 March, to discuss the growing importance of cross-border co-operation between all the people of Ireland, irrespective of religious differences, and irrespective of whether they are in the North or the South? Will he also take the opportunity to remind the Taoiseach that the Labour Party's official policy is now to work towards a peaceful reunification of Ireland and that the next Labour Government will be expected to carry out that policy, instead of collaborating with the Tories to continue the tragic partition of Ireland, which has been the cause of much of the trouble to date?

Mr. Prior

No, I shall not take an opportunity to remind the Taoiseach of what the hon. Gentleman said.

Mr. Kilfedder

When the Secretary of State meets the Prime Minister of the Irish Free State—no doubt it will be Mr. Haughey, whose IRA sympathies are well known—will he deliver a blunt, thundering protest about the way in which the courts there can send Eireann citizens convicted of thievery and other criminal activities to the United Kingdom, but adamantly refuse to extradite Provisional IRA terrorists who are wanted for atrocities committed in the United Kingdom—murder and mutilation? Is it not high time that the Eireann Government were told to take action in this respect?

Mr. Prior

The Government of the Republic are well aware of the views of the United Kingdom Government on the matters that the hon. Gentleman mentions. However, I believe that the co-operation being shown by the Government of the Republic, and particularly by the Garda along the border, has resulted in a considerable improvement in the security situation, which the whole House will welcome.

Mr. Molyneaux

Does the Secretary of State feel that there is now any point in Her Majesty's Government continuing to meet Dublin Prime Ministers who come and go at an alarming rate as a result of the instabillity created by the proportional representation system of voting? Would it not be a good idea to remove this debate from all parts of the British Isles?

Mr. Prior

It is not for me to comment on what happens to the leaders of other parties.

Sir William Clark

Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is not good enough for a judge in the Irish Republic to give a person another chance by sending him to the United Kingdom? Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is quite unfair to British taxpayers for us to take in citizens of other countries so that they may enjoy the welfare benefits that the British taxpayers have paid for, when the persons who receive those benefits have not paid a penny towards them?

Mr. Prior

In my view, it was not a very wise decision.

Mr. Concannon

Whoever becomes the Taoiseach—and I have had discussions with all the persons involved—is the Secretary of State aware that none of the contenders thinks that the unification of Ireland can come about in any way other than peacefully and with the consent of the majority of the people in Northern Ireland? Does the Secretary of State accept that they are fully aware of our position as an Opposition and that we shall work towards the peaceful unification of Ireland, with the consent of the people of Northern Ireland, and that they are perfectly happy to work towards that peaceful solution with us?

Mr. Prior

The right hon. Gentleman has put the matter very well, and I hope that his right hon. and hon. Friends were listening to him.