asked the Taoiseach when he proposes to meet the British Prime Minister and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Arrangements for any meeting with the British Prime Minister would, in accordance with normal practice, be announced simultaneously in Dublin and London close to the time of the meeting.

Does the Taoiseach anticipate that a meeting will take place at an early date, say within the next few weeks? If so, are the arrangements for such a meeting being made by officials of his Department or officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs?

In reply to the last part of the question first, the normal channels would be followed in regard to such a meeting. But the Deputy will appreciate that I cannot say, and it is not the practice to say, in advance when meetings might take place. Perhaps what the Deputy is really asking me could be answered in this way; that meetings between the Head of the Irish Government and the British Prime Minister have become standard practice. I would see no reason to depart from that practice whenever the occasion arises.

Is it the Taoiseach's wish to have such a meeting in the immediate future?

I would regard the holding of such meetings as desirable but, as to when any such meeting might or might not take place, I would not be at liberty to say at this stage.