I am not raising the issue of public service pay which I had previously asked to have raised.

Thank you.

I understood the Taoiseach to indicate this morning the possibility that he might allow a short discussion or make a statement and I have heard nothing to the contrary since then. In view of the confusion that appears to exist as to whether a settlement has been negotiated, I would ask for some information from the Government side.

I understood that this was to be discussed between the Whips and I have heard nothing since.

I have made inquiries and no approach was made by the Government Whip to our side.

Has the Opposition Whip made any approach?

Perhaps I should explain to the Minister, who may not have been in the House this morning, that the indication was given by the Taoiseach——

I was in the House.

——that he would consider the position and see whether it could be discussed by the Whips. Obviously any initiative rests with the Taoiseach.

I will bring the matter to the attention of the Taoiseach but the Deputy knows it was agreed yesterday that recommendations would be carried back. There are other people to adjudicate on those recommendations and in my opinion it would not be helpful to have them discussed here at this time.

It was obvious that the Taoiseach did not know what he was talking about and did not know the present position.

That remark should be withdrawn.

That was fairly obvious this morning. Is the Minister now saying——

It is a derogatory remark against the Taoiseach and it might be in the best interests of the House if the Deputy would be gracious enough to withdraw it.

Perhaps I would put it in a different form. It was my impression, gathered from the Taoiseach's approach, that he knew little about the present position of the negotiations and that is also the impression of others. Is there not now an obligation on the Taoiseach to take the initiative and have the matter discussed by the Whips?

I will get something done about it.