asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy whether his attention has been drawn to a newspaper report (details supplied) attributing to a "top Government source" the statement that a deal with the Soviet Union, approved by the Soviet Foreign Minister was pending which would guarantee Irish oil supplies from this source and that the existing oil distribution networks would be nationalised; and whether this report is true.

There is no truth in the report.

Question No. 9.

Just a minute, Sir. There is only one question on the Order Paper dealing with that and the Minister has replied to it in six words.

When the Minister says that there is no truth in the report, are we to take it that absolutely nothing has been arranged whether under the approval of the Soviet Foreign Minister or otherwise, in regard to Soviet oil supplies here for a fixed period?

There are existing arrangements between a private Irish firm and Soviet oil authorities, whatever company produces or exports oil from Russia. These are the only arrangements between this country and Russia that I am aware of in regard to oil.

Can the House take it that there is no truth in particular in the suggestion contained in this report that the Minister had used the threat of an exclusive deal with the Russians in order to make the oil companies turn tail two weeks ago?

I have already said that there is no truth in the report. I do not need to go through each line.

Can the Minister explain why a top Government source made such a statement if it was false?

I do not know who the alleged top Government source is. I have made inquiries and I cannot find out.

The Minister will agree that one of the successes of this Government is their Government Information Service. Would the Minister agree that when a report of this sort occurs there should be some denial to the effect that there is no truth in it?

I do not agree at all. If newspapers want to print totally speculative things I and the Government generally should not be expected to go around annoying everyone about it. It would be a full time job.

Would the Minister be interested to know that the journalist who wrote this story subsequently went back to the politician who had passed it to him, at a funeral of one of the Minister's colleagues, and confirmed from him that the substance of what he wrote was true?

I have no idea of what passed at the funeral.

Question No. 9.