asked the Taoiseach if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied) that tens of thousands of letters to constituents have been prepared by the departmental staff of Ministers and Ministers of State in readiness for an election announcement; if any such envelopes have been prepared in his Department for him or for his Minister of State; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The report referred to by the Deputy is without foundation.

Could the Taoiseach tell the House whether the report is completely without foundation and that none of his Cabinet colleagues or his second 15 have prepared the alleged circulars for distribution in the event of an election?

As far as I am aware no such circulars have been prepared. I will let the Deputy know in plenty of time when the election is coming.

Is the Taoiseach effectively saying that this journalist and this newspaper are misleading the public?

I would not like to make that sort of judgment. All I can deal with is facts and as far as the report refers to tens of thousands of circulars being prepared that report is not correct. It is without foundation.

The Taoiseach is saying——

A question, Deputy.

Is the Taoiseach saying that the facts are not as stated in the newspaper?

Yes, I am saying that the particular report is without foundation.

A final supplementary.

Is the Taoiseach saying that the newspaper is misleading the public?

The Deputy is drawing his own conclusions.