EMS Entry and North-South Cooperation
Harte challenged the Government’s decision to join the EMS without Britain, arguing that economic choices should account for their implications for political cooperation and Irish unity. Colley defended the decision and criticized Harte for not voting against it; the exchanges were interrupted by the Chair and partisan interjections.
Would the Minister explain the consistency of deciding unilaterally on economic issues and pleading for political consideration on the other hand? Does he not consider that economic co-operation between North and South is only equally as important as political co-operation between North and South? How can the deputy leader of a Government and a party who proclaim that they seek Irish unity decide unilaterally on economic issues without considering the political implications?
Comment on this
I assume the Deputy is referring to the decision to join the EMS at a time when it was clear that Britain was not entering. If that is what he is referring to, the reasons and the considerations involved were debated fully in this House. I note that at that time the Deputy had an opportunity to vote against that decision but chose not to do so.
Comment on this
I am asking a very straight-forward question. How can the Minister for Finance, the deputy leader of the Government and of the republican party satisfy this House that he can decide clearly on economic issues without considering the political implications for the Irish people?
Comment on this
If the Deputy will put a coherent question he will get a coherent reply. While he is at it he should tell us why he did not vote against it if he was so strongly in favour of the line he is taking now.
Comment on this
The Official Report of Friday, 15 December 1978 will tell. I have brought that with me because the Minister has brought in this red herring on a number of occasions.
Comment on this
Does the Deputy mean that the Fine Gael Party decided not to vote against it? It is a fact that Deputy Harte did not vote against it and that the Labour Party did. He had the opportunity to vote against it and he chose not to.
