: asked the Taoiseach whether he has made arrangements to meet with any foreign heads of Government; and, if so, if he will indicate the purpose of the meetings and when they will take place.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Meetings with Heads of Government .
3.
: As I indicated to this House on 25 June last, it is normal practice for an announcement on these matters to be made, at a pre-agreed time, in the countries concerned. I intend to continue to observe that practice.
: In view of the very firm arrangement the Taoiseach had with the British Prime Minister that they would meet every six months and since it is now five months since their last meeting I should like to know if there will be a meeting between the British Prime Minister and the Taoiseach within the next four weeks?
: There will be another meeting between myself and the British Prime Minister but, as yet, I am not in a position to say when it will take place.
: In accordance with the firm agreement announced by the Taoiseach that there would be one every six months I should like to know if one has been arranged to take place within the next four weeks?
: I do not have anything to add to what I have said.
: I should like to ask the Taoiseach if he does not regard that as a breach of the agreement arrived at between himself and the British Prime Minister?
: No.
: Arising out of the Taoiseach's reply, which was ambiguous, I should like to know if he intended to indicate that the date has not been fixed or that it has been fixed and he is not in a position to announce it?
: I have nothing to add to what I have said.
: (Cavan-Monaghan): What does that mean?
: I said a further meeting between the British Prime Minister and myself will take place but I am not in a position yet to say when.
: (Cavan-Monaghan): Has any such meeting been arranged?
: I should like to draw the attention of the House to the fact that Deputies should wait until they are called by the Chair before asking supplementaries. That would help considerably in keeping good order.
: Does the Taoiseach intend in the near or foreseeable future to visit the United States of America in order to avail of the opportunity to make his views, as expressed in Cork, on the activities of the Irish National Caucus Committee and Noraid known?
: I have no such plans at present but the Deputy is probably aware that the Minister for Foreign Affairs when he was in the United States expounded our policy very clearly. Indeed, he secured widespread acceptance of our policy in this area.
: I am calling Question No. 4. I have permitted a reasonable number of supplementaries on this question.
: Surely I am to be allowed more than one supplementary regarding our relationship with the United States and the attitude the Irish-American population see?
: I have permitted the Deputy to ask a number of supplementaries and I would be glad if he would accept my ruling.
: May I ask one final supplementary?
: If I permit final final supplementaries I do not know where I will end. The Deputy should accept my ruling.
: I appreciate that but on the other hand if the Chair starts by being too restrictive it could lead to something else.
: Is that a threat?
: No, it is a statement. May I ask another supplementary?
: I have ruled that we must move to the next question. I regret that the Deputy may not agree with my ruling but I ask him to accept it.
: In view of the very unsatisfactory nature of the Taoiseach's reply I seek permission to raise the subject matter of this question on the Adjournment.
: I understood the Ceann Comhairle to rule out further supplementaries from Deputy Cluskey but I have not understood the Chair to say he was moving to the next question.
: In fact, I called the next question.