§ 18. Mr. Flanneryasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has any plans to prepare discussions with all interested political parties in the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic on the future of Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. FlanneryDoes the Secretary of State accept that those who believe that the last word has been said about Northern Ireland are sadly mistaken, and that the circumstances prove that to be true? Does he further accept that the future of Northern Ireland depends on many discussions and debates? Therefore, will he make it clear that, especially because the policy of the main Opposition party—the Labour party—is for a united Ireland, those discussions must continue with all interested parties, including the Republic?
§ Mr. HurdIt would be rash indeed for anyone to predict the day when the last words had been spoken about Northern Ireland. There is an important distinction here which the hon. Gentleman constantly seeks to blur. The United Kingdom needs a good working relationship with the Republic of Ireland, but the initiative on discussions about the way in which the Province should be governed rests essentially with the elected leaders of the Province. I shall give any help or make any suggestions that I can to ease that process.
§ Mr. SteelWill the Secretary of State lose no opportunity to make it clear to the populations of Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic that the one thing that unites all parties in the House is our determined opposition to terrorism, and that we all rejoice to see the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry here this afternoon? We wish him and Mrs. Tebbit well.