Is the Taoiseach aware that, due to the attitude of his party members in Roscommon, there is no system of allowing a Minister to retire and allowing a Fianna Fáil representative to take his place?

That seems to be another question.

I am aware of gross analogies between the practices of the Unionist Party in Northern Ireland with an absolute majority and those of the Fianna Fáil Party in this State with regard to co-options, but I am more than happy, as in Northern Ireland are the SDLP, to enter into discussions with a view to achieving a measure of power-sharing universally throughout the country.

Is the Taoiseach saying then that he disagrees with the practice of his members on Roscommon County Council who are operating a Unionist type council?

I am more than happy to enter into discussions to get over the problems created by the actions of Fianna Fáil in certain areas in relation to co-options. Now I want to lower the temperature if I may and say seriously that we should look at this thing together rather than make party points about it. Problems have arisen in successive Governments and we should be able to sort it out together in the interests of Parliament and the local authorities.