asked the Taoiseach if he is aware of any political initiatives by the British Government with regard to Northern Ireland.
2.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Northern Ireland Situation.
1.
asked the Taoiseach if he has had any further personal contact with Mr. Health, the British Prime Minister, subsequent to his telephone conversation of 30th January, 1972.
3.
asked the Taoiseach if he has received any recent requests from Mr. Faulkner or members of his Cabinet for talks on the Northern situation.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 1, 2 and 3 together.
I have had no personal contact with the British Prime Minister since the 30th January, 1972. I have received no requests from the Stormont Government nor have the British Government informed me of any political initiatives in relation to Northern Ireland.
May I ask the Taoiseach if he would describe as mere speculation the reports in last week's papers about impending political initiatives?
They have been so described by No. 10 Downing Street, I believe.
Has the Taoiseach any reason to believe that there was kite-flying?
I cannot comment. I can only read what I see in the papers. I got no communication.
The Taoiseach would not know anything about kite-flying.
What about the usual unnamed channels to which the Taoiseach often refers?
Deputy O'Connell might know something about these.
Would the Taoiseach say whether he sought contact with the British Prime Minister since his telephone conversation of that particular date?
I have not.