asked the Taoiseach the dates, since he became Taoiseach, on which he has visited the President at Aras an Uachtaráin for the purpose of Article 28.5.2º of the Constitution.

The duty placed on the Taoiseach by Article 28.5.2º of the Constitution to "keep the President generally informed on matters of domestic and international policy" is fully and adequately discharged by me. I do not consider it in keeping with the dignity of the office of the President to give the sort of details sought in the question.

Will the Taoiseach tell the House if he has ever visited the President for the purpose of this question?

Yes.

Will the Taoiseach say on how many occasions he visited the President?

As often as necessary.

That answer is impertinent to the House. A reasonable question was asked but that was not a reasonable answer.

I gave an answer that I do not consider it appropriate to give details of the number of times I have visited or met the President for this purpose. That is my attitude.

Fianna Fáil considered the matter appropriate when Deputy Cosgrave was Taoiseach and they asked a similar question.

The party opposite should be very sensitive about relationships between the President and the Government.

The Taoiseach should answer the question.

(Cavan-Monaghan): There are many things about which the people should be sensitive.

I am calling on Deputy Mitchell to ask a final supplementary.

Will the Taoiseach say if he is aware of the growing concern throughout the country regarding the mistreatment of this House and of the Presidency by the Taoiseach in his silence and in his failure to consult the House——

The Deputy is being argumentative. I am calling Deputy Cluskey.

Will the Taoiseach not agree that it was an entirely appropriate question to ask him if he was complying with the constitutional requirement? How can the Taoiseach maintain that it in any way affects the dignity of the office of the President or the holder to be forthcoming about this constitutional requirement?

I accept fully that it is a perfectly legitimate question and it is one I am very glad to answer, as to whether I discharge fully my constitutional requirement in regard to the Presidency in this matter. I do so fully discharge it. I do not think it appropriate that I should be queried here on the kind of details asked in the question, namely, how often I visit Áras an Uachtaráin, where I meet the President or anything of that nature. I think I have discharged my duty by informing the House that I have fully discharged my duty under this Article of the Constitution.

Nobody is asking the Taoiseach how often he meets the President on social occasions. The question asked how often he meets the President for the purpose of fulfilling a constitutional requirement.

My answer is I meet him as often as appropriate.

Is that once a year or once every two years?

The Taoiseach is judge and jury.

It is all part of a pattern.

Question No. 2 has been withdrawn.