asked the Taoiseach when it is planned to meet the new British Prime Minister to discuss the need for British Government initiative in Northern Ireland.

2.

asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on his recent meeting with the British Prime Minister.

3.

asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement outlining the details of his recent meeting with the British Prime Minister.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 1, 2 and 3 together.

My visit to London on Thursday last arose from an invitation which I accepted on 26 February 1979 from the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple to be their guest at a dinner on that day. I availed of the occasion to pay a courtesy call on the Prime Minister.

While it would not be customary to go into the details, I can say that our conversation touched on a wide range of subjects such as Northern Ireland, including North-South economic co-operation, EEC, EMS, and other bilateral matters. The meeting lasted half an hour and was warm and cordial. We agreed that a further meeting could be envisaged for a suitable occasion in the future to discuss matters of common interest.

The newspapers reported the Taoiseach as saying that he was mildly optimistic. What is he mildly optimistic about?

As far as I know I did not talk about mild optimism. I am not responsible for that phrase.

I said it was reported in the newspapers.

The Deputy had better ask the newspapers about it.

Without going into the details of the discussion, can the Taoiseach indicate whether the subject matter of the Tánaiste's speech calling for a new British initiative was part of the discussions?

That question does not arise.

Surely the Deputy Prime Minister's call for a new initiative——

Surely the Deputy is aware that that question does not arise.

Surely the Taoiseach can comment on whether the subject was discussed.

I can only say "no".

That it was not the subject of discussion?

Would the Taoiseach care to elaborate on what he meant by North-South co-operation and whether the difficulties following the break with sterling were discussed?

No.

Did the Taoiseach not consider it necessary to discuss the difficulties between this State and the North as a result of the break with sterling?

No. I do not propose to answer any other detailed questions.

Was the declaration of intent to withdraw mentioned during the discussion?

These matters do not arise.

I was not asking the Chair; I was asking the Taoiseach through the Chair.

In answer to my first question, did the Taoiseach state when he expects to meet the British Prime Minister to discuss Northern Ireland?

In my reply I said that it would be on "a suitable occasion in the future".

In the near future?

I cannot say exactly when because the new British Government will have to be given an opportunity to familiarise themselves with all the aspects of the situation.