How can the Taoiseach seriously pretend even to an Ard Fheis that he proposes to do something about the Northern problem and fail to give some undertaking in this matter?

Question No. 6. We cannot have argument.

I have already pointed out in this House that I do not think Deputy Browne correctly interprets the wishes of either the minority or the majority in Northern Ireland.

Is it not a fact that the 1937 Constitution purports to apply to the six north eastern counties? In such circumstances are we not proposing to extend these disabilities to the Northern Protestants? How in heaven's name could they welcome it? Why does not the Taoiseach face up to these realities instead of flamboyantly pirouetting around Europe?

Before the Ard-Fheis I was accused of doing nothing and now I am accused of pirouetting and being flamboyant. I wish the Labour Party would make up their minds about where they stand in this matter.

The Taoiseach was accused of doing nothing before the Ard-Fheis and now he has proved he is doing nothing.

In the hope of lowering the temperature of the discussion, will the Taoiseach not accept without prejudice to particular issues that there is much merit in seeing whether there could be common ground between the parties with a view to making changes in our society which would demonstrate our intentions with regard to a united Ireland firmly based on pluralist principles and that this should not be left until something happens in the future, though it might happen unless action is taken to encourage it?

If there is any view in the Opposition parties, in the Fine Gael Party, that the time is now ripe for another look at these matters or if any serious proposals along these lines is put forward by the Fine Gael Party, we will consider it favourably.