asked the Taoiseach if he will discuss with President Reagan the possibility of relaxing immigration laws for Irish citizens.

The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me, nor is it the practice, to disclose publicly details of all matters to be discussed with visiting heads of State or Government. In my discussions with President Reagan I will, of course, cover in the mormal way matters of mutual interest to our two countries.

Can the Taoiseach tell the House what is the present quota of Irish citizens who can go into America legally and take up permanent employment?

I do not think that arises directly. I am not sure that I could give the Deputy the details. The number of immigration visas issued over the past four years has been of the order of 600.

Is the Taoiseach aware that many suitably qualified people would like to go to America and take up permanent employment and they are unable to do so?

I am aware that that is probably the case.

Does the Taoiseach recall having made a statement when he was in the United States recently that he would like to see the quota increased? Can he state to what quota he was referring?

The immigration quota.

Deputy Begley asked a question to which the Taoiseach failed to give an answer. He asked what is the quota. Surely there is no such thing as any quota.

That seems to be a separate question.

That is why I did not answer Deputy Begley's question in that form. There is a number issued which is static at around 600 rather than a specific national quota. The fact is that the numbers involved are around 600 each year, de facto.

To what quota was the Taoiseach referring at his press conference in New York?

I do not recall using that phraseology. If I did, it would have been an inaccurate way of describing it in the strict legal sense. I am concerned with the limitations which exist on the number of Irish people going there, because there would be value in a somewhat larger number of Irish people being allowed to go, many of whom could gain experience which they could bring back to this country.

Would the Taoiseach like me to send him the cutting from the newspaper to refresh his memory on his statement?

I am always glad to have my memory refreshed. Let us be quite clear on the position. I am concerned that it would be desirable that the number of Irish citizens who are able to go on immigrant visas to the United States should be somewhat larger than has been the case. They could gain experience which would be useful to us in many cases when they came back subsequently.

Is this Government policy to deal with unemployment? There is no answer to that.

Deputy O'Kennedy wanted training courses in the subject.