Information on Rhodesian elections
Deasy asked whether the Government had independently established the facts in Rhodesia and cited claims that 65 per cent voted for the new government. Lenihan said Ireland was acting within the UN approach and declined to debate the election results.
What efforts have the Irish Government made to find out the facts in Rhodesia? Are we dependent solely on second- and third-hand accounts of what is going on?
Comment on this
I need not emphasise to the House that this is a highly sensitive issue and can be approached by a small country such as ours only in the context of the United Nations approach. We are doing so and acting in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolution.
Comment on this
Does the Government agree that 65 per cent of the public in Rhodesia voted in favour of the new government?