asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government have received any request from any other Government or international intergovernmental organisation to use any offshore island in this country's territorial waters as a military or reconnaissance base; and, if so, the Government's response.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Use of Offshore Island.
44.
(Cavan): The answer is that no such request was received.
I am glad we have got that much. In view of all the reports, rumours, comments and otherwise within the last few weeks, why did the Minister for Foreign Affairs, or some representative of his Department, not make a short statement simply denying all these rumours and putting an end to the matter? That is the reason I put the question down.
(Cavan): I am sure that if the Minister were to follow every hare raised he would be even busier than he is.
This was not just one hare.
Question No. 45.
Where is the Minister for Foreign Affairs, where is his Parliamentary Secretary, where is the vocal Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, who is very happy when he is trying to spread rumours?
This is irregular at Question Time. The Deputy knows that.
It is not. We have a Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
The Deputy knows that very often it has happened that other Ministers have answered. Question No. 45.
(Cavan): I really think this is unworthy of the Deputy. The Opposition know as well as the rest of the world that during this six months we have the honour of having the Presidency of the Communities. The Deputy knows that puts a very great burden on the Minister for Foreign Affairs and his Parliamentary Secretary. I really think it is unworthy of Deputy O'Kennedy to try to make cheap political propaganda out of this.
Where is his Parliamentary Secretary?