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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Visit of Chairman Gorbachev.

Soviet Jews seeking to emigrate

Summary

Dukes asked whether Irish ministers visiting Moscow should raise Soviet Jews’ right to emigrate. The Taoiseach said Ireland continued to pursue the issue, though a mainly economic visit might not be the right forum.

If I may be permitted another supplementary given the fact that the Taoiseach has taken several questions together, let me ask if it would be the Taoiseach's intention to take up, in diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union, the subject matter of my Question No. 2, that is the plight of Soviet Jews who wish to be allowed to leave the Soviet Union.

Comment on this

We do that. Again, the President dealt with that question at the press conference.

Comment on this

Would the Taoiseach think it useful or appropriate that the group of Ministers shortly to go to Moscow to talk about trade deals would raise this issue also, given the backing Governments here have always expressed for approaches of that kind and in particular the Helsinki Declarations?

Comment on this

Our position is well known, and it is a part of our continuing policy to pursue that issue. I am not too sure though that the visit of the Ministers, which could be very much an economic visit, would be an appropriate forum.

Comment on this