asked the Taoiseach whether he has issued any recent instructions to his Ministers in relation to the recording of telephone calls between or to Departments.

I have not issued any such instructions.

Is the Taoiseach aware of numerous references in an article in Magill magazine to the alleged practice of recording telephone conversations without the knowledge of the person being recorded and does he consider that practice to be appropriate or acceptable?

The question to me is whether I had issued any recent instructions to Ministers in relation to recording of telephone calls between or to Departments. I have issued no such instructions.

Is the Minister aware of the magazine article to which I have referred and, if so, does he accept that the practice outlined therein clearly implies that there is fairly widespread prevalence of that practice?

I have no knowledge of any such practice existing at present.

May I briefly ask the Taoiseach if he is aware of the magazine article to which I have referred and whether in the light of its contents he proposes to take any action in relation to either the telephone conversations mentioned or any other aspect of the article in which such allegations have been made?

My personal view would be that anybody who records a telephone conversation with a person without so informing that person would be guilty of very dishonourable and disreputable conduct.

Will the Taoiseach——

Deputy Keating has been allowed four supplementaries. The Chair must be obeyed. I have called Question No. 4.

Will the Taoiseach then investigate these allegations in view of his strong condemnation of such a practice?

The Taoiseach's statement is bunkum.