Would the Taoiseach agree—and this is a matter of observation—that his own attitudes on violence are regarded as ambivalent by sections of the Unionist population in Northern Ireland? That is a matter of record. Would he agree——

I reject that.

That certainly is public opinion within Northern Ireland.

I resent such statements being made by the Deputy in the form of a question.

Would the Taoiseach agree in those circumstances that it would be helpful to seek meetings with those elements in Northern Ireland? It is noteworthy that during his recent visit to the United States he did not condemn those elements there who support violence within this country. Would he, therefore, agree that it is important to seek meetings with Unionists in Northern Ireland?

I regret that this Dáil should open on this note and I am disciplining myself from being rather severe on the Deputy with regard to the sort of contacts which he might or might not have kept while he was Tánaiste. The records show—and there is ample evidence to prove it—that during my previous stewardship as Taoiseach the record of the security forces in combating violence North and South of the Border was impeccable.

I would ask the Taoiseach why he appears during his visit to the United States not to have called on people there to refrain from supporting violence or people involved in violence and why he confined himself to the extraordinarily anodyne statement "A small number of people in this country have subscribed to activities which can only delay the achievement of that unity. Many of these are simply misguided". Can the Taoiseach recall any precedent for any Taoiseach or Minister speaking on that subject in the United States and not seeking the support of the people against violence?

I think the Deputy is endeavouring to be mischievous and irresponsible.

By quoting the Taoiseach.

The intervention which I made in the United States on this occasion has been widely regarded by everybody as entirely beneficial from the point of view of the interests of this country and the unity of our people.

This view is not shared everywhere, including Washington. Would the Taoiseach please answer my question about his failure to call on people in the United States not to support violence as the first Taoiseach——

I have already made my position in regard to violence in this country and the support of violence from the United States clear on many occasions.

Why not in the United States on this occasion?

I have already made it clear on a number of occasions and my position in regard to it is well known.

Why did the Taoiseach drop it on this occasion?

It did not arise on this occasion.

Was that because Deputy Blaney told the Taoiseach he was not to say it?

The Deputy should control himself. Deputy FitzGerald is being grossly irresponsible as he has been for the last six months. Now that the matter has come up I want to avail of this opportunity to say that the primary objective of my going to the United States on this occasion was to endeavour to repair the economic and social damage done by Deputy FitzGerald, Deputy Michael O'Leary and Deputy John Kelly.

May I say that the Taoiseach's failure for the first time to make such a call was noted in Washington?

The Deputy knows as much now——

I have called Question No. 24. Could I ask the Taoiseach to reply to it? I have allowed an unlimited number of supplementaries. Could I have the reply to Question No. 24?

Instead of lecturing our civil servants abroad——

The Coalition Government as far as the United States is concerned could only be described as national sabotage.

24.