asked the Taoiseach if it is his policy to encourage Government Ministers to visit Northern Ireland, both officially and privately; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

: When I met the British Prime Minister, Mr. Callaghan, last September we agreed, with particular reference to Northern Ireland, that it would be of mutual advantage to improve practical co-operation on economic matters and that officials of the two Governments would meet to review arrangements and opportunities for this. In my view, the same considerations apply to official and private visits by Government Ministers both to and from Northern Ireland. Such contacts help to dispel suspicions and create deeper understanding and I fully support and encourage them.

: Has the Taoiseach himself any plans to visit Northern Ireland in the future?

: No.

: May I ask how many times, if any, the Taoiseach has been to Northern Ireland in the past ten years other than for funerals or ordinations of Catholic bishops and if he has met any leaders of the Unionist side there?

: I have been to Northern Ireland other than to funerals and ordinations of bishops. I have not formally met any Unionists there.

: Would the Taoiseach not agree that it would be helpful to his understanding of the Northern Ireland situation and his enunciations thereon if he did make frequent visits to Northern Ireland and if he met leaders of the Unionist side there?

: Does the Deputy dispute my understanding or challenge my enunciations?

: I am asking the Taoiseach if he does not think it would be helpful to him and to his understanding if he visited Northern Ireland?

: There are a lot of considerations involved and I do not think we need go into them here.