asked the Taoiseach if his statement after his meeting with the French Prime Minister, that our case for special aid had been raised, refers to our previous submission for £650 million resources transfer over a five year period.

Assuming the Deputy is referring to my meeting with the President of the French Republic, the answer is "Yes".

Can the Taoiseach reconcile his expressions of optimism after the meeting, since the French authorities did not indicate publicly any support for the special grant aid requested by the Government? How does the Taoiseach reconcile his expressions of optimism after the meeting in the absence of any public expression of support for our request for special grant aid previously sought by the Government?

I had a meeting with the President of the French Republic and I was very pleased at his response to the requirement of this country to get special assistance in the event of us becoming members of the EMS. I stated specifically and publicly that there was no agreement between us on the form or the amount. That remains the position as far as my meeting with the French President was concerned.

There was no support from the French authorities at that meeting for our request for £650 million grant aid, the amount sought by the Government over a five year period?

This morning I indicated that I will be making a statement tomorrow and also that we are still in a discussion situation. I do not wish to speculate on what reactions are likely to be at the end of the day.

Will the Taoiseach accept that when he makes visits of this kind, and subsequently briefs correspondents and statements are made which seem to come from him and with his authority, that it is unsatisfactory for the House to be unable to ascertain whether they are correct or not? In these circumstances is the Taoiseach prepared to tell the House whether, after his visit to the German Chancellor and the French President, there was a willingness to effect the transfers as distinct from loans which the Taoiseach sought?

The Taoiseach has already indicated that a statement will be made to the House on this matter tomorrow. We cannot go into it now.

What the correspondents reported was a faithful indication of my briefings with them.

Did the Taoiseach say "fateful"?

I said "faithful".

6.