§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether there have been contacts between his Department and representatives of the Government of the Republic of Ireland concerning the future government of Northern Ireland since the beginning of January; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PriorThe future government of Northern Ireland is a matter for the people of Northern Ireland, Her Majesty's Government and the United Kingdom Parliament to decide. But the Government of the Republic of Ireland naturally watch political developments in Northern Ireland with interest. For this reason—as was explained in the press statement issued after our meeting on 29 January—my discussion with Senator Dooge covered matters of mutual interest in the political, as well as in the economic and security, field. There have been no other contacts of the kind suggested in my hon. Friend's question.