asked the Minister for Defence the terms of the letter of apology from him to the President; if a reply was received from the President; and the terms of the reply.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Letter of Apology.
11.
Copies of the correspondence have been placed in the Library.
This question appears in my name but I never put down any question to the Minister for Defence on this particular matter and I would like to know how it appeared on the Order Paper under my name when it was never put down by me. I did put down a question in similar terms to the Taoiseach and he, apparently, is not here to answer it.
Order. A question, please, Deputy.
I want to know from the Parliamentary Secretary who gave authority for this question to be changed from the Taoiseach to the Minister for Defence, who is not here, and which is answered now by the Parliamentary Secretary. The particular question has been hawked around the Cabinet for some time.
This is a speech and it is not in order.
May I ask if the Taoiseach will be answering the question I put down to him some time ago?
I do not know anything about the question.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary convey to the Taoiseach that he is the person to whom I put down the question and I would expect he would be the person to answer the question. It was directed to him and he is the only person who could convey the information I require in reply to the form of the question I put down.
Order. The Deputy may not make a speech.
Can I get an assurance from the Parliamentary Secretary that he will convey to the Taoiseach that I want the question I put down to the Taoiseach answered by the Taoiseach?
The Deputy is engaging in argument. This is not in order.
I am merely asking will the Parliamentary Secretary convey my views to the Taoiseach.
The Deputy has put that question already.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary also convey to the Taoiseach our feelings on this? The position should be abolished completely.