The Taoiseach does not appear to have a good memory either. What days will he appear before the tribunal?

Deputy Gilmore asked his question and the Taoiseach may reply under Standing Orders after which Deputy Gilmore may ask a supplementary question.

As we spoke about Brian Dobson a few years ago, or a few minutes ago——

Now who's memory is in trouble?

A second is a long time.

——on "The Pat Kenny Show" in June 1997, I stated:

There will be no casino, no licence, no amendment to the Act. That is Fianna Fáil policy and that is the way it is.

Answer the question.

He answered it.

When?

Fianna Fáil actively campaigned against the casino during the Dublin West by-election in 1996. The idea for a casino came from Bord Fáilte.

Answer the question.

The background to all this was the proposal to develop a national conference centre. The preferred site was identified at the RDS premises——

The Taoiseach is running for cover.

——but there was a significant shortfall in the capital funding.

The Taoiseach should answer the question. When is he up before the tribunal?

That is on the website.

Deputy Quinn does not have a good record.

Put it on the record of the House.

Answer the question.

As Deputy Quinn is asking a question, he met them as well and there was nothing wrong with that either.

That is not the question

Why will the Taoiseach not answer the question?

Deputy Quinn met the people as well.

What is the Taoiseach hiding?

About what?

About when he will be before the tribunal.

This is Leaders' Questions and Deputy Quinn is not entitled to ask a question.

The dates are fixed by the tribunal. I do not determine them.

This gets sadder day by day. The Taoiseach and I go back a long time.

Deputy Quinn has no entitlement to intervene in this debate.

The dates for the tribunal the last time I was up changed seven times. If Deputy Gilmore wants to know the latest date on the website he should check the website. I do not check the dates but I will be up before Christmas and it will not affect my job here.

I was answering the question about the casino, but perhaps the Deputy does not want to hear it. I was not involved in anything other than acting totally properly with regard to the casino. When I asked Department of Finance officials to check that they confirmed totally and comprehensively that in no way did I interfere in any improper way with anything to do with the casino.

We seem always to get only half answers from the Taoiseach.

I have only two minutes.

He now tells us he gave some type of half-hearted approval for the casino.

He did not state that. Deputy Gilmore is a twister.

Apparently the promoters gave Fianna Fáil two halves of $10,000 and the donation only got half way to Fianna Fáil. The Taoiseach can now only half remember what happened and frankly the rest of us do not believe half of it. The question I am asking the Taoiseach is about his appearances before the tribunal and I ask him again on what dates is he due to appear before the Mahon tribunal this side of Christmas? How long——

Look it up on the website.

The Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, should look it up on the top of whatever tree he climbed.

Deputy Gilmore should go back to producing money.

We are hurting.

I never delved into that. I do not have a history.

On what dates is the Taoiseach due to appear before the tribunal this side of Christmas? Has the tribunal informed the Taoiseach that he is to appear before it again in the new year and on how many occasions he is due to do so? What assurances can the Taoiseach give us that he is not a lame duck Taoiseach leading a Government of dead-beats?

As I stated, the dates are on the website and they change regularly. The dates are the 20th and 21st but on the last——

What are the dates?

I just answered it. Deputy Gilmore should stop interrupting and listen. I stated the dates. On the last occasion they changed six or seven times. I was to be there in June, it went to July and then early September, mid-September and late September. I do not control that. The dates in the new year on which I will appear will be a matter for the tribunal. I do not think I am answerable to the House——

Of what dates in December has the Taoiseach been notified?

——on when the learned gentlemen decide.

Can the Taoiseach not answer?

I answered.

The Taoiseach did not answer.

I answered.

The Taoiseach stated 20 and 21 December.

Is Deputy Gilmore deaf as well as stupid? I answered 20 and 21 December but the Deputy keeps interfering.

I know.

Perhaps Deputy Gilmore cannot use a computer.

I thank the Taoiseach. What about the new year?

I do not know.

We must come to a conclusion on this because we are over time.

Has the Taoiseach been told he will be back in the new year?

I do not know.

Did they tell the Taoiseach?

They did not tell me. They will tell me when I finish because that is what they do. If Deputy Gilmore was there explaining some of his past he would find out about it.

The paucity of Deputy Gilmore's argument.