asked the Taoiseach if he will state if the National Defence Conference has met recently, and, if so, on what date; and if he will state, further, how the Defence Conference is presently constituted; who are its present members; and if it will function in future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Defence Conference.
The position in regard to the Defence Conference is that it has not met for some months and it is proposed to summon a meeting at an early date for the purpose of bringing it formally to an end.
I have asked the Taoiseach in my question how the Defence Conference is constituted, and who are its members. Would it be possible for the Taoiseach to answer the question on the Order Paper?
I have answered the question by telling the Deputy that the conference has not met for a number of months — that was one of the questions asked—and that it is proposed to summon a meeting at an early date for the purpose of bringing it formally to an end.
My question clearly asks who the members of the Defence Conference are.
The Deputy knows who were the original members of the Defence Conference.
Could the Taoiseach say if there has been any change in the membership of the Defence Conference recently?
The position was that the heads of Parties were members of it and that some of those have not met. It was desired, therefore, to bring the conference to an end.
But the Taoiseach has still not answered my question. I have asked him who the members of the Defence Conference were.
The Deputy did not ask who they "were".
Yes, Sir. With all respect to the Taoiseach, my question reads: "Who are its present members".
The Deputy has said now "who are".
"Who are".
That is something I could not say at the moment.
Then am I to understand that the Taoiseach does not know the members of the present Defence Conference?
The conference has been in abeyance for some time.
Could the Taoiseach say why the Defence Conference did not meet?
That is a different question.
In view of the most unsatisfactory reply which the Taoiseach has given to my question, could I request your permission to raise this matter on the Adjournment?
I will consider that matter.