asked the Taoiseach (a) the date on which the Irish Ambassador was recalled from England; (b) the date on which he returned; and (c) if the relationship between the Irish and British Governments has improved.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Anglo-Irish Relations.
1.
(a) Monday, 31st January, 1972; (b) Friday, 24th March, 1972; (c) Yes.
The Taoiseach says the relationship has improved. Would he not admit that the recalling of the Irish Ambassador was a retrograde step, that it was an immature act of political expediency, playing on the emotions of the people, and that it misfired? When the Taoiseach admits that the relationship has improved——
We cannot debate this question.
Certainly we can.
No, the Deputy may put a question.
The Taoiseach admits that the relationship has improved. Therefore, it disimproved before that. Will he not admit that the deterioration in the relationship between the Irish Government and the British Government was due to the fact that for two long years the Taoiseach did nothing about illegal organisations——
We cannot continue this.
——that he allowed them to drill, to parade, to appear on Irish television——
Will the Deputy please listen? This is purely argumentative. It is not in order on the question.
The Taoiseach says that the relationship has now improved——
The Deputy may not debate the question.
Will he not admit that if he governed over the past two years the relationship would not have deteriorated and that those illegal organisations should have been put down two years ago, not promises made in this House?
This is completely out of order. It bears no relationship to the question. Will the Deputy allow me to go on to Question No. 2?
Will the Taoiseach not admit that the referendum and the happenings in the North now have improved——
This has nothing to do with the question. The Deputy may not debate this. Question No. 2.