asked the Minister for the Gaeltacht if the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta requested a meeting with him; if so, (a) the date on which the request was made; (b) whether he has met the board; (c) if not, the reason; and (d) when he proposes to meet them.

Bíonn áthas ormsa bualadh le comhaltaí Údarás na Gaeltachta agus ní miste a rá gur bhuail mé leo den uair dheireannach ar an 20 Deireadh Fómhair.

An n-aontaíonn an tAire go bhfuil sár-obair déanta ag foireann Údarás na Gaeltachta chun postanna a shábháil agus postanna nua a bhunú sna ceantair Ghaeltachta, agus an nglacann sé go bhfuil sé in am anois deireadh a chur leis an bhfeachtas díoltasach, pearsanta atá ar siúl aige agus tacaíocht iomlán a thabhairt d'fhoireann an Údaráis?

Ba mhaith liom a rá leis an Teachta nach bhfuil feachtas pearsanta ar siúl agamsa agus diúltaím do sin ina iomlán. Ní dúirt mise focal amháin go poiblí in aghaidh éinne san Údarás agus ba mhaith liom dá n-inseodh an Teachta domsa áit ar bith gur léigh sé nó gur chuala sé mise ag rá tada go pearsanta in aghaidh éinne ar bhord an Údaráis nó ar fhoireann an Udaráis.

An bhfuil a fhios ag an Aire — abróidh mé as Béarla é más mian leis — is the Minister aware of the allegations that an official of his Department collaborated with a journalist in a series of articles that were damaging to Údarás na Gaeltachta, and if he is so aware, has he inquired from the said official in his Department whether these allegations are correct or not?

This does not arise on the question.

The Minister asked me for some evidence. It is very difficult to do so in the four or five minutes that remain of Question Time. Is the Minister aware allegations were made——

The fact that the Minister asked the Deputy to do something——

This is wasting the time of the House.

This is unworthy of the Deputy. The fact that the Minister asked the Deputy to do something does not mean it is in order.

I will come back to that on another occasion. Is the Minister aware that the Garda are investigating an alleged statutory breach of confidentiality by a member of the board who is also a member of his own party and, if so, could he inform the House how far those investigations have proceeded?

The question deals with a request for a meeting with members of the board. Therefore what the Deputy is asking does not arise.

An bhfuil an tAire ag rá go bhfuil muinín aige as an Údarás agus bord an Údaráis i láthair na huaire, agus má tá, cad chuige nach raibh sé sásta é sin a rá inné nuair a cuireadh ceist díreach air ar an radio an raibh muinín aige as an Údarás, agus dhiúltaigh sé freagra a thabhairt ar an gceist?

Ní bhaineann sé sin leis an gceist.

Baineann sé leis an gceist. Baineann sé le baill an Údaráis.

(Cur isteach.)

An nglacann an tAire go bhfuil rudaí saghas ina phraiseach anois maidir leis an Údarás agus an nglacann sé féin go bhfuil an-chúraimaí ar an Údarás agus go bhfuil dualgas air féin — tá sé seo in ord; ní thuigeann tusa é. Ní hé tusa an Ceann Comhairle. An nglacann an tAire go bhfuil dualgas air dul i gcomhairle leis an Údarás láithreach féachaint cén chaoi is fearr chun na deacrachtaí atá acu a réiteach agus ionas go mbeidh dul chun cinn sa Ghaeltacht agus dul chun cinn le gach rud a bhaineann leis an Ghaeltacht.

Ní bhaineann sé sin leis an gceist. The question simply asks about a request made to the Minister to meet the board. I am well aware from my reading of newspapers that there are many things that could be discussed about the matter but they do not arise on this question.

An bhfuil sé i gceist ag an Aire baill de Údarás na Gaeltachta a chur as oifig sula mbeidh a dtéarma caite?

Ní éiríonn sé sin as an gceist.

An bhfuil an tAire sásta freagra a thabhairt——

An bhfuil sé sin i gceist ag an Aire?

(Cur isteach.)

Níl sé sásta fiú amháin an cheist a fhreagairt.

Tá mé cinnte nach n-éiríonn sé sin as an gceist and I am ruling it out of order.

Ba mhaith liom a chur in iúl duit go dteastaíonn uaim an cheist seo a phlé ar athló na Dála anocht.

Cuirfidh mé scéal chuig an Teachta.

Did the Minister impress on the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta when he met them on 20 Deireadh Fómhair the fact that this matter in relation to Údarás na Gaeltachta is having serious and damaging effects on the Gaeltacht and particularly the Gaeltacht that I represent in west Donegal.

I would like to remind you, a Cheann Comhairle, that you have allowed in English a question which I put in the Irish language and which you did not accept. That is the same question as I put.

I have not.

You have so, a Cheann Comhairle.

I have not.

You have, on the advice of somebody——

I am more than surprised at Deputy Tunney about two things. Deputy Tunney should not criticise civil servants in this House. If he wants to criticise me in any way, he can do it.

Chuir mise ceist i nGaeilge agus níor ghlac tú leis cé go raibh an tAire sásta é a fhreagairt. Cuireadh anois an cheist ceanann céanna i mBéarla agus do ghlac tú leis. You can take whatever lesson you like from it

Deputy Tunney was raising many things under his question and I ruled it out of order.

This question is about meetings between the Minister and the board and Deputy Gallagher's question is in order and I am allowing it.

An féidir leis an Aire aon ráiteas a chur amach faoin rud atá sa pháipéar nuachta inniu go bhfuil sé chun cuid de bhaill an bhoird a chur as a bpostanna? Má tá, cé hiad na daoine a bhfuil sé ar intinn aige a chur as a bpostanna, agus ar cuireadh an rud faoi bhráid an Rialtais?

Níl sé i gceist agam aon ráiteas a chur amach.

Is it true that the Minister is conspring with the Fine Gael members of Údarás na Gaeltachta to bring drochmheas anuas ar an Údarás——

Deputy Molloy is not in order.

(Cur isteach.)

Ta Tráth na gCeist thart. The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.