asked the Taoiseach if his attention has been drawn to a newspaper report (details supplied) concerning statements purported to have been made by the Government Press Secretary on behalf of Fianna Fáil; if the Press Secretary made the statements referred to; and if the rules governing civil servants which permit action in the political field have been changed since his reply to a similar question on 22 May 1979.

I have seen the newspaper report referred to by the Deputy. The Government Press Secretary was replying to a query from a reporter as to why no Government Minister was available for a Frontline (RTE) programme on Friday, 16 November 1979. The rules governing civil servants and political activity have not changed since my last reply on 22 May 1979.

Is the Taoiseach saying effectively that the Government Press Secretary told him the reporters made it all up?

No.

What possible interpretation can we put on the Taoiseach's answer other than that the Government Press Secretary has effectively accused the reporters concerned of misrepresenting his remarks and putting them in quotation marks?

I do not believe that is the case. I can give one example of the kind of question which was asked and the answer given. The Government Press Secretary was asked was it true that Fianna Fáil did not want to do something and he said, "That is not true". He did not answer in the exact terms in which the report was put in the paper.

Would the Taoiseach not agree that the report concerned quoted the Government Press Secretary as saying Fianna Fáil would gladly participate in another programme on another occasion, and the report in question also quoted the Government Press Secretary, in quotation marks although I may not use the exact quotation, as making a direct political attack on a member of a former Administration?

I have seen those remarks certainly. I can only say that questions were put in a certain form and monosyllabic or perhaps duosyllabic answers were given, but the full text of the answer was given in quotes in the answer as quoted in the newspaper.

Can the Taoiseach give an undertaking to the House that this kind of event will not occur again?

I would hope not, but I do not see any serious problem in it. If the Government Press Secretary says Fianna Fáil would do this or would not do it, I do not see that he is abrogating any great principles.

Is the Taoiseach condoning the fact that the Government Press Secretary made derogatory political statements about a former Minister?

I am not.