Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Northern Ireland Discussions.Tuesday, 29 April 1980 |
Dáil Eireann Debate
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Mr. O'Keeffe:
asked the Taoiseach if he had any discussions regarding Northern Ireland with the British Prime Minister over the weekend and, if so, if he will make a statement thereon.
Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Lenihan) (for the Taoiseach):
I had a brief private meeting with the British Prime Minister in Luxembourg on the occasion of the European Council meeting last weekend.
It is not customary to disclose the matters discussed at meetings of this kind.
Mr. O'Keeffe:
Can the Minister give any indication at all as to the context of the discussion or any arrangements made arising therefrom?
Mr. Lenihan:
The discussions will take place in London in a matter of a few weeks.
Mr. O'Keeffe:
I understand that a date has been fixed for London but can the Minister give any indication at all as to the nature of the discussions in Luxembourg?
[3]Mr. Lenihan:
Luxembourg was entirely concerned with making the arrangements for the meeting I am talking about. So the arrangements have been made for the meeting in London in a matter of a few weeks.
Mr. O'Keeffe:
Would it be correct to state that the only matter discussed in Luxembourg with Mrs. Thatcher was merely the arranging of a date for a meeting in London?
Mr. Lenihan:
Yes, with a view to having comprehensive and wide-ranging discussions in London on all matters pertaining to Anglo-Irish relations.
An Leas-Cheann Comhairle:
We will have a final supplementary question from Deputy Quinn.
Mr. Quinn:
Is the Minister for Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Taoiseach, in a position to indicate to the House what might be on the agenda for such a meeting? Perhaps he could be a little more precise than merely saying that it is about Anglo-Irish relations.
Mr. Lenihan:
It should be obvious to the House that what will be on the agenda includes Anglo-Irish relations, community relations and so on. It does not require any great elaboration.
Mr. L'Estrange:
What about the PLO?
An Leas-Cheann Comhairle:
Deputy L'Estrange should not start so early in the day.
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