asked the Minister for Education when his latest meeting with representatives of the USI took place; and when he plans to meet them again.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meeting with USI.
78.
My latest meeting with representatives of the USI took place on 17th December, 1973. I have not yet arranged a date on which to meet them again.
Unfortunately, I know the Minister for Foreign Affairs is standing in for the Minister for Education. I do know that when the Minister for Foreign Affairs was spokesman on Education he attached great importance to meetings with the Union of Students in Ireland. Why has there been no meeting between the students and the Minister for almost two years now? I would ask the Minister for his personal opinion as to the desirability of an immediate meeting between the representatives of the students and the Minister for Education.
Well, the period since the last meeting is nothing like as long as the Deputy says but I will pass on his remarks to the Minister.
I did not get the exact date. I thought it was sometime in 1973. This is 1975 and I had done a simple mathematical calculation.
There was a meeting on the 17th of December, 1973. He addressed the Congress on 10th of January, 1974. We are now in the month of March, 1975, so almost two years is exaggerating a little.
Does the Minister regard that as satisfactory?
I did not say that. I merely wished to put the facts, get them correct, and I will pass on what the Deputy said to the Minister.
The Minister is doing a nice soft-shoe job.