I assume I am being called because I have a question down to the Taoiseach.

The second question. I rise in connection with Question No. 7——

I am here——

I have called Deputy Spring, who has a question tabled in the matter, Question No. 8, and who is present in the House.

Thank you, a Cheann Comhairle. May I take it from the Taoiseach's reply that he did not have the opportunity of raising the question of the Birmingham Six? In regard to the British Prime Minister's remarks which she made at a press conference in relation to safe havens for the IRA, can I take it that those remarks were directed at the Republic of Ireland? Was the Taoiseach aware at the time of the discussion that the British Prime Minister was going to mention the contents of that conversation at a press conference?

I understand that the British Prime Minister used the phrase "safe havens anywhere" in her television broadcast. I was not aware that the British Prime Minister intended to give any press conference after the Summit meeting. In fact, as far as I understood the situation, the troika led by President Mitterrand were to conduct the necessary press conference.

It would appear from the conduct of the British Prime Minister at the weekend that she has a habit of conducting Anglo-Irish relations or Anglo-Irish diplomacy through the medium of press conferences. Has the Taoiseach conveyed to her that this is particularly unhelpful?

As soon as I became aware of the statement by the British Prime Minister I availed of the earliest opportunity to place on record my view, which I am sure would be the view of all Members of this House, that we are not aware of any safe havens anywhere for terrorists, and particularly for the Provisional IRA.

I would like some response from the Taoiseach in relation to the Birmingham Six. Did he have the opportunity of raising this case? Perhaps I could be accused of suffering from historical amnesia if I was not aware of the fact that Mrs. Thatcher's press conferences sometimes convey a totally different impression from what took place at meetings she has had with Irish Taoisigh, but could the Taoiseach inform the House if the impression she gave at the press conference on Sunday afternoon reflected what happened at his short meeting?

I have already indicated that the British Prime Minister and I did not have a meeting. As the Deputy knows from his own personal experience, as these conferences break up and people move away, frequently the different participants have a word with each other. Very often it is just to wish each other good luck until the next conference. That is the sort of conversation I had with the British Prime Minister, no more and no less.