asked the Minister for External Affairs who invited Mr. Sobolev, the Russian Ambassador to the United Nations, to the reception by the Irish delegation to the United Nations in honour of the visit of the President to America; if the Government approved of the invitation; if he has since received protests from Catholic organisations in the United States regarding the attendance of this Ambassador at the function; if the expenses of this function are to be paid from State funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Invitation of Russian Ambassador to Reception.
22.
With my approval, in accordance with the practice which visiting Heads of States are expected to follow, invitations to the President's receptions were issued to the heads of all the diplomatic and consular missions accredited to the United States Government in the cities visited, and in the case of New York also to the heads of missions accredited to the United Nations.
In Washington the invitations were issued by our Ambassador to the United States. In Chicago they were issued by our Consul. In the case of New York, to which the Deputy's question specifically refers, the invitations were issued in the joint names of our Ambassador at the United Nations and our Consul General in New York.
The answer to the other portions of the Deputy's question is that I have received no protest about the matter from any organisation in the United States, and that the expenses of such special receptions are, of course, paid for out of State funds.
Could the Minister ascertain from the Taoiseach whether the Taoiseach, as head of the Government, received a protest from New York signed by a Catholic Bishop and a number of other New York influential Catholics, protesting against the attendance of the Russian Ambassador at the President's function?
The Deputy asked a Parliamentary Question as to whether any protest had been received by the Minister for External Affairs. The answer is in the negative.
May I ask the Minister for External Affairs if the Taoiseach has passed to his Department a protest which the Taoiseach received?
No.
One of the lay pillars of the Catholic Church—Deputy Flanagan.
They are old friends, the people to whom you gave good money, the Russians. You were the first people to recognise the Soviet when you acted as pawnbrokers for the Russian crown jewels.
Question No. 23 postponed.