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Dáil

Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Meetings with Heads of Government .

: asked the Taoiseach whether he has made arrangements to meet with any foreign heads of Government; and, if so, if he will indicate the purpose of the meetings and when they will take place.

Comment on this

: As I indicated to this House on 25 June last, it is normal practice for an announcement on these matters to be made, at a pre-agreed time, in the countries concerned. I intend to continue to observe that practice.

Comment on this

: In view of the very firm arrangement the Taoiseach had with the British Prime Minister that they would meet every six months and since it is now five months since their last meeting I should like to know if there will be a meeting between the British Prime Minister and the Taoiseach within the next four weeks?

Comment on this

: There will be another meeting between myself and the British Prime Minister but, as yet, I am not in a position to say when it will take place.

Comment on this

: In accordance with the firm agreement announced by the Taoiseach that there would be one every six months I should like to know if one has been arranged to take place within the next four weeks?

Comment on this

: I do not have anything to add to what I have said.

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: I should like to ask the Taoiseach if he does not regard that as a breach of the agreement arrived at between himself and the British Prime Minister?

Comment on this

: No.

Comment on this

: Arising out of the Taoiseach's reply, which was ambiguous, I should like to know if he intended to indicate that the date has not been fixed or that it has been fixed and he is not in a position to announce it?

Comment on this

: I have nothing to add to what I have said.

Comment on this
Thomas J. Fitzpatrick Mr. T. J. Fitzpatrick Fine Gael

: (Cavan-Monaghan): What does that mean?

Comment on this

: I said a further meeting between the British Prime Minister and myself will take place but I am not in a position yet to say when.

Comment on this
Thomas J. Fitzpatrick Mr. T. J. Fitzpatrick Fine Gael

: (Cavan-Monaghan): Has any such meeting been arranged?

Comment on this
Padraig Faulkner An Ceann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

: I should like to draw the attention of the House to the fact that Deputies should wait until they are called by the Chair before asking supplementaries. That would help considerably in keeping good order.

Comment on this

: Does the Taoiseach intend in the near or foreseeable future to visit the United States of America in order to avail of the opportunity to make his views, as expressed in Cork, on the activities of the Irish National Caucus Committee and Noraid known?

Comment on this

: I have no such plans at present but the Deputy is probably aware that the Minister for Foreign Affairs when he was in the United States expounded our policy very clearly. Indeed, he secured widespread acceptance of our policy in this area.

Comment on this
Padraig Faulkner An Ceann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

: I am calling Question No. 4. I have permitted a reasonable number of supplementaries on this question.

Comment on this

: Surely I am to be allowed more than one supplementary regarding our relationship with the United States and the attitude the Irish-American population see?

Comment on this
Padraig Faulkner An Ceann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

: I have permitted the Deputy to ask a number of supplementaries and I would be glad if he would accept my ruling.

Comment on this

: May I ask one final supplementary?

Comment on this
Padraig Faulkner An Ceann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

: If I permit final final supplementaries I do not know where I will end. The Deputy should accept my ruling.

Comment on this

: I appreciate that but on the other hand if the Chair starts by being too restrictive it could lead to something else.

Comment on this

: Is that a threat?

Comment on this

: No, it is a statement. May I ask another supplementary?

Comment on this
Padraig Faulkner An Ceann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

: I have ruled that we must move to the next question. I regret that the Deputy may not agree with my ruling but I ask him to accept it.

Comment on this

: In view of the very unsatisfactory nature of the Taoiseach's reply I seek permission to raise the subject matter of this question on the Adjournment.

Comment on this

: I understood the Ceann Comhairle to rule out further supplementaries from Deputy Cluskey but I have not understood the Chair to say he was moving to the next question.

Comment on this
Padraig Faulkner An Ceann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

: In fact, I called the next question.

Comment on this