Did the Minister consider requesting the President to include a visit to Ulster in his itinerary?

Many people wanted the President to visit many parts of Ireland. We asked him would he consider visiting the part of Donegal which I think the Deputy has in mind. Unfortunately, it was not possible for him to include everything in his programme. I was particularly interested in having him visit two parts of the country which I am interested in but unfortunately they were not included either. One was the Limerick-Cork match on the Sunday but I am afraid he will not be able to go to that.

The Limerick-Cork match.

Unfortunately the only province which President Reagan is not visiting is the most important of the four, Ulster. Why has he not been requested to visit Ulster? If the Minister and the Government exerted enough pressure on him he probably would visit Ulster, now that the report of the Forum has been made available.

It is not our function to exert pressure on President Reagan. We drew to the attention of the White House a number of areas which we would like him to visit. The final decision on where he went was a matter for himself.

Did the Minister and the Government request President Reagan to visit any part of Ulster?

Yes, we did.

Which part?

Donegal, as I said.

Discrimination, but I am not complaining.