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Dáil Éireann - Volume 397 - 27 March, 1990

Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Visits of Heads of State and Government.

9. Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach if President Vaclav Havel of Czechoslovakia has been invited to visit this State during the term of the Irish Presidency of the European Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

10. Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach if, in his capacity as President of the European Council, he will invite the new Prime Minister Designate of the German Democratic Republic to visit Ireland, in view of recent developments in the country and their implications for the EC and for Ireland in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The Taoiseach: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 10 together. In accordance with the established practice, plans for any such visits would be announced shortly in advance of the event by each Government concerned.

[1113] Mr. Quinn: I appreciate that established practice curtails the Taoiseach from giving a definitive reply, but as a Taoiseach who has not been unnecessarily hung up by established practice in the past, perhaps, he would like to create a precedent and indicate whether he thinks it would be advisable during the term of the Irish Presidency of the European Council that such visits would take place, without necessarily indicating the dates or the times?

The Taoiseach: We have had a procession of such visits, as the Deputy is probably aware. The Swedish Prime Minister was here a week ago, the Finnish Prime Minister will be here this week, and so on. Throughout the Presidency there will be a large number of visits by Heads of Government right across Europe. The Deputy mentioned in particular the President of Czechoslovakia, and I share with the Deputy a great admiration for President Havel. I would very much like to have an opportunity of talking to him but when exactly a visit could be arranged I am not too sure.

Mr. Quinn: Could I invite the Taoiseach, in view of the regard which Europeans have in particular for Vaclav Havel, to pursue every opportunity of extending an invitation to the said President during the course of our Presidency?

The Taoiseach: I think we have already done that.

Mr. Deasy: Has the Taoiseach sent any message of support to the new President of Lithuania? Would he consider inviting that President to this country to show our solidarity with the newly-found independence and sovereignty of that country?

An Ceann Comhairle: That is a separate question, Deputy.

Mr. Deasy: It is a very important one and we may not get a chance——

[1114] An Ceann Comhairle: It is still a separate question.

The Taoiseach: The Deputy is probably aware that the Twelve have issued a very sensible and mature statement on the situation in Lithuania.

An Ceann Comhairle: No. 11, Deputy Dick Spring's question.

Mr. Barry: That was last week. A lot has happened over the weekend.

Mr. Deasy: We support——

An Ceann Comhairle: The Deputy should put down a question. No. 11, please.

Mr. Deasy: I suppose that was a halfhearted statement——

Mr. Barry: That was last week. There is a big difference between last week and this week in Lithuania.

Mr. Deasy: Could we have a debate on the matter?

The Taoiseach: I think the Deputy will agree that it is better that statements in regard to the majority of these matters should be issued by the Twelve.

Mr. Deasy: We have more in common with them than any other member of the EC.

An Ceann Comhairle: Please, Deputy Deasy, the question was not in order in the first instance.

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