asked the Taoiseach the duration of his recent visit to Rome; the dates on which he had official discussions or consultations; and the nature of each such engagement.
9.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ministers Foreign Engagements.
8.
asked the Taoiseach if he will indicate the members of the Government who were engaged abroad on any date between the 1st and 16th October; and the nature and extent of each engagement.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, the replies to Questions Nos. 8 and 9 will be in the form of tabular statements to be circulated with the Official Report.
Following are the statements:
The duration of the visit was from the 7th to the 16th October, 1975. Relevant meetings and consultations were as follows:—
|
Date |
Engagement |
|
7th October |
His Excellency Most Reverend Giovanni Bennelli, Titular Archbishop of Tusuro, substitute Secretary of State at the Vatican. |
|
10th October |
Cardinal Villot, Secretary of State at the Vatican. |
|
13th October |
The Holy Father |
|
13th October |
Ambassador to the Holy See. |
|
14th October |
Lunch at the Villa Spada in honour of Cardinal Villot, Archbishop Benelli and Archbishop Casaroli. |
|
15th October |
Courtesy call on Prime Minister Moro. |
|
15th October |
Meeting with President Leone. |
|
Name |
Country |
Nature |
Duration |
|
Taoiseach |
Rome |
See reply to Question No. 8. |
7/10/75-16/10/75 |
|
Minister for Local Government |
Rome |
Canonisation of Blessed Oliver Plunkett. |
11/10/75-15/10/75 |
|
Luxemboarg |
EEC Council of Ministers Meeting on Environment. |
15/10/75-16/10/75 |
|
|
Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries |
Rome |
Canonisation of Blessed Oliver Plunkett. |
11/10/75-13/10/75 |
|
Luxembourg |
EEC Council of Ministers. |
13/10/75-16/10/75 |
|
|
Minister for Foreign Affairs |
USA and Canada |
Speaking engagements in New York, Chicago, Montreal, Ottawa, Washington. |
1/10/75-6/10/75 |
|
Meetings with US Congressmen and Senators, New York. |
6/10/75-11/10/75 |
||
|
Minister for Posts and Telegraphs |
Israel |
Israeli Socialist Party Invitation. |
6/10/75-11/10/75 |
|
Meetings with Prime Minister and Minister for Defence of Israel. |
|||
|
Minister for Industry and Commerce |
USA |
Industrial and Trade Promotion, Washington and New York, Opening of IDA Office in Heuston, Texas. |
4/10/75-11/10/75 |
|
Japan |
Tokyo—Industrial and Trade Promotion. |
11/10/75-16/10/75. |
|
|
Hong Kong |
Industrial and Trade Promotion. |
||
|
Minister for Education |
France |
Visit at invitation of French Government. |
8/10/75-10/10/75 |
|
Meetings with French Minister for Education and Secretaries of State for Higher Education, Culture, Youth and Sport and Foreign Relations. |
|||
|
Rome |
Private Visit. |
11/10/75-12/10/75 |
|
|
Holland |
Van Leer Foundation Invitation, The Hague. |
13/10/75-15/10/75 |
|
|
Meetings with Minister for Education of the Netherlands, Director Generals of Primary, Secondary, University and Foreign Relations. |
Could the Taoiseach indicate what official engagements, if any, of the type referred to in the question he had between Tuesday, 7th October and Saturday, 11th October, inclusive?
That is all in the reply.
Could the Taoiseach indicate to me if he had any official engagements between those two dates?
Which dates?
Between Tuesday, 7th October and Saturday, 11th October.
I have given it all in the reply.
The Taoiseach has replied to the two questions simultaneously. The second question is not related to this. I am simply asking for one piece of information to be extracted from the tabular reply to Question No. 8.
There was no official engagement between the 7th and 10th October.
In relation to the Taoiseach's reply to Question No. 9, could he tell me if during that period half or almost half the members of the Government were absent from the State on any one date?
No.
What was the greatest number absent at any one time?
I will have to segregate them to see what number were absent over this particular period.
The Taoiseach will recognise that is the nature and purpose of the question.
(Interruptions.)
Does the Taoiseach not accept that this is a matter of public concern? Is it now to be left to the individual Deputy or the Press to go through the tabular reply to extract that very important information? Surely the Taoiseach could do that?
The only people I gather are concerned are the members of the Opposition. I did not get any evidence of public concern.
(Interruptions.)
Question No. 10.
Does the Taoiseach not accept that allowing——
While I was away I heard there was difference of opinion between Deputy O'Kennedy and Deputy Lynch. I heard that when I was away.
At least there is debate going on in our party about the North of Ireland.
To get back to the Government responsibility, does the Taoiseach not accept that in so far as it is the Government's primary responsibility to be seen to govern at home, and allowing that there will be important obligations abroad, he must ensure that, as far as possible, the maximum number of Government members are available as has not been the case in the time referred to?
The Ministers abroad were attending EEC meetings.
And private engagements in that five day period.