asked the Taoiseach whether representations in respect of Ambassador Donlon's continued presence in the Washington Embassy were received by him from either Speaker O'Neill, Senators Kennedy or Moynihan or Governor Carey; if so, whether he replied to the representations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

: I have nothing to add to what was said on the matter in the statement issued by the Minister for Foreign Affairs on 9 July last.

: Is the Taoiseach aware that there was intense press speculation in the US for quite some days before the Foreign Minister's denial of Ambassador Donlon's removal and that such press speculation was to the effect, as stated in the New York Daily News, that the ambassador's removal was seen as an effort to placate Irish-American support for the IRA——

: May I draw the Deputy's attention to the fact that he may not quote at Question Time?

: From memory then, may I just make my point? Is the Taoiseach aware that in relation to the intense press speculation which went on in the US for some days and which was not contradicted by any official statement from the Dublin Government, it tended to increase the opinion as expressed by one leading American newspaper and tended to confirm the major objective of the Irish National Caucus as described by Father McManus, that it was their major objective to move Ambassador Donlon out of Washington? Would the Taoiseach agree that it was most unfortunate from the point of view of Irish Government policy on Northern Ireland and its influence on influential US opinion that these reports and the possibly semi-official nature of this press speculation were allowed to go on unchecked for a number of days leading to the conclusion that the Government had been forced to change a previous decision?

: I have no comment to make. The Deputy has made a very long statement but he has not asked me a question.

: To recapitulate, may I put it this way? Inspired rumours which the United States press carried, unchecked from any source in Dublin, were reports to the effect that Ambassador Donlon was to be removed. Quite some days were allowed to elapse and certain very influential Irish-American politicians expressed——

: Would the Deputy come to the question?

: ——themselves publicly on the matter. Was there an official denial from the Irish Foreign Minister? The question I am asking is: would the Taoiseach agree that it was most unfortunate that this delay was allowed to occur and American opinion allowed to be influenced in the direction I have mentioned?

: I agree that much press speculation both at home and abroad is unfortunate.

: Could I ask the Taoiseach whether in the speeches referred to him by the Minister for Foreign Affairs in New York recently, he did in fact deal with these organisations or whether, as was suggested in the press reports, his speeches took quite a different tone and had a different content to those made by Ministers and Taoiseachs of successive Governments since 1972?

: I do not know what the Deputy is referring to but the position of this Government on the matter has been made perfectly clear by me in Cork and subsequently by the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

: Could the Taoiseach cite any reference to statements by the Minister for Foreign Affairs in the US on the subject of these organisations, because I have failed to note any in newspapers and the contrary was suggested?

: I will suggest that the Deputy address these questions to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

: I am not sure if I heard the Taoiseach correctly but in relation to the question asked by Deputy O'Leary, can the Taoiseach confirm or deny whether any representations were made by the various persons referred to in Question No. 4?

: I have answered that question.

: I do not think the Taoiseach has, with due respect. He declined to comment on it, I think.

: My reply to that specific question was that I had nothing to add to what was said on the matter in the statement issued by the Minister for Foreign Affairs on 9 July.

: Is the Taoiseach in a position to say yes or no as to whether representations were made? I have heard what the Taoiseach said already, that he does not particularly want to answer it——

: That is obvious.

:——but can he answer whether they were made or not?

: I have nothing to add to what I have said and no further comment to make.

: Question No. 5.