asked the Taoiseach if he has received a request to meet a deputation from the Offaly County Council; if he has agreed to meet them in order to discuss the present position in regard to the council's finances; and if he will make a statement in regard to the request made by the council.

Last month, Offaly County Council requested me to meet a deputation to discuss three proposals relating to local taxation. As the proposals were not within the realm of financial possibility at this time, I could not see my way to discuss them and had the council informed to this effect.

Might I ask the Taoiseach why, as a matter of courtesy, he did not receive the members of the Offaly County Council, more particularly when they have some commonsense proposals to put before him whereby the rates could be reduced?

The proposals they put forward were the complete derating of agricultural land and the making of health and road services national charges. If these matters should come within the realm of possibility, they would have to be discussed with more than the members of Offaly County Council.

Is the Taoiseach aware that Fine Gael have a proposal in relation to health services whereby the rates could be reduced by at least 5/- in the £?

It is no trouble to you.

Is the Taoiseach aware that out of a total membership of 21, only four members of Offaly County Council expressed any dissatisfaction with the reasons the Taoiseach gave for not receiving the deputation?

All the others are members of the Fianna Fáil Party.

And that apparently the other 17, several of whom are members of Fine Gael, were quite satisfied with those reasons and accepted them?

Surely the majority of the council asked the Taoiseach to receive the deputation?