asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that at least ten files listed in the index of the Public Record Office in London concerning relations between Ireland and Britain in 1948 are not now available to the public for inspection and if any representations have been made in the matter.

17.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to reports that the British Government have been persuaded to withhold certain sections of their archives on Anglo-Irish relations between 1948-1951; if his Department were involved in or aware of requests not to publish such papers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

18.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the representations, if any, made to the British Government requesting non-publication under the "30-year rule" of certain papers relating to the year 1949 and if he will make a statement on the matter.

19.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether he has given any consideration to, or has received representations in regard to a report (details supplied) concerning allegations that a number of files have been withdrawn from State archives either here or in Britain following pressure or representations by retired officials of the Irish Public Service when it appeared likely that certain State documents would be released either here or in Britain under the 30-year rule and if he will make a statement on the matter.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 to 19, inclusive, together.

I have had this matter investigated and I am satisfied that the allegations contained in the press reports which promoted these questions are completely without foundation. The question of the availability of a country's official archives for public inspection is, of course, a policy matter for the government of the country concerned.

I wish to lodge a protest at the Minister's conduct in taking Question No. 39 with Question No. 13. I was not here at the time. They should have been put together on the Order Paper if they were being taken together. I was prevented from raising important supplementaries because I was not present.

The Minister asked permission and received permission to answer both questions together. We are dealing with four questions at the moment, Nos. 16, 17, 18 and 19.

I can assure the Deputy that no discourtesy was intended and nothing that would give rise to a protest.

Could the Minister repeat the answer so that I will have an opportunity of asking supplementaries?

We will have supplementaries on the questions before the House.

I have been prevented from asking supplementaries because the Minister answered both questions together.

The Minister asked the permission of the Chair to take the two question together. There was no objection from anybody and the two question were take together and were disposed of.

I was not here so I could not be expected to know they were being taken together.

The Chair is not responsible for who is here or who is not here. We are dealing with Question Nos. 16, 17, 18 and 19.

I wish, with your permission, to raise on the adjournment the subject matter of Question No. 39.

The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.

I hesitated to object, but I could see no rationale for taking Question No. 39 and not Question Nos. 36, 37, 38 and 34.

We cannot discuss questions that have already been dealt with.

Deputy Bruton said that I did not want to answer Question No. 39. I am not going to allow Deputy Bruton to make implications like that.

Would Deputy Bruton listen to the Chair? If the Minister wishes that the question be taken again I am sure the Chair will facilitate that being done and leave it on the Order Paper for the next day.

Question No. 13 answered separately.

Question No. 39 to remain on Order Paper.

Would the Minister be good enough to elaborate slightly on the very brief answer he gave to those comprehensive questions? For example, could he say whether or not representations were made with a view to having certain files removed and is he certain that there is no suggestion of any piece of evidence being removed from the files?

No representations were made to have any files removed. I checked the matter out in the greatest possible detail and I am pleased to say that what I expected to be so is so. No representations were made. I will convey that information by letter to some people who wrote to me.

Can the Minister tell me in respect of this period why I have been precluded from getting information about incidents which happened during my period as Acting Minister for External Affairs?

That would appear to be a separate question.

I have no knowledge of the matter. If the Deputy would like to communicate with me I will look into the matter.