Dáil Éireann - Volume 180 - 07 April, 1960

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - South African Apartheid Policy: Boycott of Goods.

Dr. Browne Dr. Browne

16. Dr. Browne asked the Minister for External Affairs whether in view of the recent killings of seventy Africans at Sharpeville and in order to try to alter the South African Government's apartheid policy he will now consider recommending Irish consumers to boycott the purchase of goods of South African origin.

Minister for External Affairs (Mr. Aiken) Frank Aiken

Minister for External Affairs (Mr. Aiken): As the Deputy is aware, spokesmen for the Irish Government have on many occasions appealed to the South African Government to respect the fundamental rights of all sections of its people and on 24th March I repeated this appeal in the statement I made concerning the tragic happenings in South Africa.

2067

The question of how public opinion [2067] outside South Africa can most effectively be brought to bear to ensure respect for the fundamental human rights of all the people of South Africa is a complex and difficult one. I do not consider that a boycott of South African goods would have this effect.

Dáil Éireann 180 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. South African Apartheid Policy: Boycott of Goods.

Questions

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