asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the reasons, the purpose and the ideas which he has on Irish neutrality and expressed by him to the Association of European Journalists in Dublin on January 11, 1985; and if he will make a statement on this very important matter.

On the occasion referred to I indicated Government policy as set out in the Programme for Government, which states that the Government will preserve Ireland's neutral position, outside military alliances.

I also identified considerations in this area which will have to be addressed sometime in the future. All of these matters were widely reported at the time.

Can the Minister confirm that there was major dissension at Cabinet level concerning his position on neutrality as outlined in the national Press in recent days?

That is a separate question. It has nothing to do with the question on the Order Paper.

It is a point worth bringing to the Minister's attention because of the disquiet it has aroused.

The Deputy will have to find a more relevant way of raising the matter.

Will the Minister confirm that he has taken a slap from the Taoiseach in this regard and is now back in Government line?

I deny that totally. If Deputy Flynn had been listening he would have heard the Taoiseach make the position clear. There was no question of dissension on the matter.

Accepting that the Minister abides by Government policy in this matter. am I correct in saying that, neverthelsess, he holds a personal view which is contrary to the view of the Government and, if so, does he push that personal view inside Cabinet?

The Deputy misunderstands the position. I subscribe entirely to the Government position, that is, that the Government will preserve Ireland's neutral position outside military alliances. What I said was that I identify considerations which will have to be addressed sometime in the future. Members on the other side have similarly addressed and identified those considerations in the past, so there is no contradiction.

Was there not an unholy row at Cabinet level on this matter?

That is complete and utter nonsense. It is what the Deputy would like to believe.

The Minister was an embarrassment to the Government but he has been brought back into line.

Nonsense.

The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.