asked the Minister for Transport and Power if the US State Department have intimated to the Government in the past week that the landing rights issue can be settled in a mutually agreeable manner; if he will state the present position with regard to this matter and when a final decision and announcement will be made.

10.

asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether he proposes to discuss the landing rights issue with Governor Ronald Reagan on the occasion of his visit to this country; and, if not, why.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 10 together.

I would refer the Deputy to my reply to questions on 4th July. I do not propose to make any further statement at present.

In view of the fact that this problem has been with us for almost 12 months now, and in view of the fact that by the Minister's own admission negotiations have been going on with the American Government for almost six months, would the Minister not agree that the House is entitled to some indication of what negotiations have taken place and what bargaining is being done? Since the House is adjourning this week for the summer recess, would the Minister not think that the House and the country have a right to expect some indication of what has transpired and what is the exact position at the moment?

I am sure the Deputy and the House appreciate that at a delicate or sensitive stage in bargaining or negotiating, one does not reveal what is being bargained and negotiated about, and that is the situation at present.

Is there any reason why the Minister cannot let us know what exactly is being discussed or what progress has been made?

That would be very damaging to our interest.

In what way?

From the common sense point of view, to bring it down to the human level, apart from the national level. In the case of any negotiations between nations or between two people, one does not start talking in public about negotiating and bargaining positions.

Surely the Minister will agree that it would have no bearing whatsoever on the negotiations and, in view of the speculations which are going on, surely the House is entitled to know exactly what the position is?

We cannot debate this question all evening. Question No. 11.

Are negotiations actually still on?

Yes. The House can be assured of that.

In a month or so it will be too late.

In view of the proximity to doomsday will the Minister now make a statement and clarify the situation because we have been swinging in mid-air for the last 12 months. Could we have a categorical statement in regard to the position so that we can know how to approach the matter?

No.