asked the Taoiseach the Government's policy towards the media including RTE and Radio na Gaeltachta with specific reference to the availability of Ministers for interviews and if any pre-conditions regarding questions or interviewers are laid down.

The question of ministerial availability for press, radio or television interviews is a matter for the Minister concerned.

Would the Taoiseach confirm that he himself did not make himself available to RTE for interview on the grounds that he did not get the interviewer he wanted and because he could not vet the questions?

That is not so.

May we take it then that the Taoiseach will make himself available on reasonable request from RTE so that the people will know——

May I take it that the Taoiseach will expose himself so that the public will know——

The choice of words is unfortunate. But the public are entitled to hear the Taoiseach interviewed on television and not just in ministerial broadcasts. Newspaper reports indicate that the Taoiseach refuses to be interviewed on television because he cannot get the interviewer he wants and because he cannot vet the questions. The Taoiseach did not deny these reports. Will he emphatically deny them now?

There are countless reports I do not deny because I cannot keep up with them all.

I would make this point: when the Taoiseach or any Minister in Government, or any politician, goes on radio or television and gives an interview, or gives an interview to the press, it is entirely a matter for that person. Indeed, the head of the Coalition Government never gave one single television or radio interview during his entire period in office.

Would the Taoiseach agree that there is no precedent for a head of Government to state conditions as to interviewers or questions in radio or television interviews?

I am not so aware.

Now that the Taoiseach is so aware would he agree that he would not do so?

I cannot answer that question. There are 130 heads of Government all over the world.

Will the Taoiseach answer the question?

May we take it then that the Taoiseach, if invited to be interviewed by RTE, will not seek a particular interviewer or try to determine the questions to be asked?

I have never attempted to dictate who should or should not interview me either on radio or television.

Or to determine the type of question?

Or to determine the type of question.