In his discussion with the British Prime Minister did the Taoiseach form any view? If so, will he convey to the House the resoluteness of the British Prime Minister at this stage in regard to the agreement? In particular did he draw her attention to the statement she made on 17 December last to the effect that the people of Northern Ireland can get rid of the Inter-Governmental Conference by agreeing to devolved government? Also she said: "if they do not want the conference the remedy is in their own hands". Did the Taoiseach form any view in his discussions with the British Prime Minister on whether there is a weakening of will on her part or on the part of the British Government about the implementation of the agreement at this stage?

The statement issued after the meeting referred to the fact that we are both committed to the agreement. Those words speak for themselves and they have been validated by the stance taken by the Prime Minister in discussions with the Unionist leaders yesterday.

Has the Taoiseach's attention been drawn to the fact that that statement of yesterday has words in it which could be interpreted in different ways and certainly at best are ambiguous? In particular I refer to the use of the word "while" in this statement. Will the Taoiseach not agree that the introduction of this word "while" would qualify any reaffirmation of intention with regard to the agreement? The words used were: "While reaffirming the Government's commitment in regard to the implementation of the Anglo-Irish agreement it was understood that if after discussions with all concerned the ideas raised in our talks today bore fruit, we should consider what that meant for the work of the Inter-Governmental Conference". Will the Taoiseach indicate his interpretation of those words and whether I am right in my interpretation of the introduction of the word "while" into the terms of that statement?

The prefacing of those remarks by the word "while" committed to the agreement I would interpret as reassuring rather than otherwise. With regard to the second half of the sentence the Deputy will note that the wording used corresponds closely with that of the agreement in relation to the work of the conference which, of course, will not operate in areas in respect of which governmental functions were devolved to an executive in Northern Ireland established on a basis of participation between the two communities.

Does the Taoiseach accept that the words, "we should need to consider what that meant for the work of the Inter-Governmental Conference" introduces any element of doubt into the situation? When he is replying perhaps he will indicate if a meeting of the conference which was to be held in February has been postponed or cancelled and whether we are to read any significance into that.

As far as the meeting is concerned, preparation for that meeting was not completed and the meeting will take place later. It was not ready to take place at this time, the end of February. I am sorry if I missed the Deputy's first point.

I am asking the Taoiseach about the use of the words in that communiqué of yesterday.

Those words I regard as adhering very closely to the wording of the agreement and I think the Prime Minister was pursuing exactly the same approach as we have pursued here in pointing out that to the extent that functions can be devolved on a participatory basis to that extent the conference would no longer have a function in the area in question, because in that area the different parties in Northern Ireland, particularly the constitutional parties representing the Nationalist minority, would have their role to play directly. The wording there is very exact and precise and I am perfectly satisfied with it.

We will have to bring this to a conclusion.

I have one question.

A final question from Deputy Mac Giolla.

Did the British Prime Minister request postponement of the Inter-Governmental Conference and was the request made at the meeting with the Taoiseach? Did the Taoiseach agree to it at that meeting?

The matter was not raised at my meeting with the Prime Minister.

Tabharfar freagraí scríofa ar cheisteanna 3, 4, 5 agus 6.