Would the Taoiseach advert to the fact that on a number of occasions he has stated that radical changes in the present structure and method of working of the security forces are necessary to end alienation in Northern Ireland? May we take it that, without such radical changes, there will be no agreement? Will the Taoiseach and the Government insist on the removal of the present Chief Constable of the RUC before any agreement in which security might eventually be involved is contemplated? Will the Taoiseach indicate whether he is prepared to continue discussions with a Government, a servant of which is prepared in the middle of those discussions to go to the United States and, in effect, stab him and his colleagues in the back?

I do not propose to be dragged down various alleyways but I gather there will be a question taken dealing with the comments of the Chief Constable.

I did not hear what the Taoiseach said.

I said that I do not propose to be dragged down various alleyways but that the particular point raised by the Deputy is the subject of a Private Notice Question which I understand will be taken in due course.

I am sorry to have to tell the Taoiseach that the Ceann Comhairle has decided that my Private Notice Question is not in order. Is that the position?

I have ruled on the question which the Deputy submitted and if a further question is submitted I will also rule on it.

The Taoiseach obviously expected that my question about the behaviour of the Chief Constable of the RUC would be allowed and——

I am not going to be dragged into a discussion on a ruling either as a result——

You will be dragged into it.

Please, Deputies.

I see that we are in for a bumpy ride this session.

I will not be dragged into a discussion regarding my ruling here either by what Deputy Haughey or the Taoiseach says.

This is a matter of major national importance and great public interest.

Perhaps we will deal with it some other time but we must move on.

The Taoiseach has obviously indicated that he was prepared to answer a question on this matter. I am asking if he is prepared to continue negotiations with a Government, a prominent servant of which behaves in this despicable fashion and, as I said, in effect, stabbed him and his colleagues in the back, or is the Taoiseach prepared to say to the British Government that there can be no further discussions until this matter is cleared up? On that point, am I right in believing that the British Government have already given what can only be regarded as a contemptuous, inadequate and skimpy reply to the protests made by him and his Government?

I can only say that negotiations are continuing.

The national television and radio services announced today the terms of a reply given by the British Government and the import of the reply is to the effect, apparently, that there was justification for what this servant of the British Government said.

I cannot allow a discussion on this matter.

It might be unpleasing to your ears but that does not mean that I am not entitled to ask it.

Deputy Haughey should not have said that. I know he does not mean it.

Is the Taoiseach aware of the reply given this day by the British Government to the protest that he made? Is the Taoiseach aware of the contents of the reply given by the British Government today?

I am aware of the contents of the British statement issued today in which, inter alia, it was stated that the speech by the Chief Constable had been seriously misrepresented in the media——

Did the statement go on to say that while co-operation on security was satisfactory there was room for improvement, thereby lending justification to and standing over these reprehensible statements by the Chief Constable? Is that the position?

The position is that the Secretary of State noted, among other things, that the Chief Constable paid tribute to the Garda force, that the RUC and the Garda had a good relationship along the Border at working level and that there was no lack of will by the Garda to combat terrorism.

Is the Taoiseach prepared to accept a situation where, in spite of all his grovelling and protestations, the British Government are prepared to stand over this reprehensible castigation of him and his colleagues and our security forces? Is he prepared to accept that or are there any limits to which he is not prepared to go?

I do not accept what the Deputy said, because, as I have just pointed out, it has been stated that the remarks of the Chief Constable were misrepresented and that he said other things which I have just quoted. The Deputy, therefore, is not working on the basis of information published.

This is a matter of very grave import and importance. You have ruled out my Private Notice Question because you said it was not urgent. I will challenge that later but I will not be denied my right to find out from the Taoiseach the Government's exact position on this crucial issue.

I cannot allow a debate on a question.

The British Government are in effect standing over what their servant said and I want to know what the Taoiseach is going to do about it. Is there any manliness left in the Government or are they going to grovel forever?

I have allowed a very generous contribution here, we must move on to the next question.

The Taoiseach should get off his knees and answer the question.

Order, please.

Perhaps the Taoiseach should call on Mrs. Thatcher to resign as I think she is at the back of the whole thing.

Does Deputy Mac Giolla have a question?