asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he met representatives of Irish organisations in the course of his recent promotional visit to Great Britain.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Organisations Representatives.
10.
(Cavan): Yes, I had the honour of meeting representatives of Irish organisations in Britain. In fact they were the first group I met on my short visit.
Did the Minister meet the organisations who made a series of complaints last year which we discussed in the House by way of parliamentary questions?
(Cavan): I do not know which organisations the Deputy has in mind.
I will give the Minister a list of them.
(Cavan): I met the chairman of the Federation of Irish Societies, the vice-chairman of the Irish Universities Club, the chairman of the GAA, the president of the Gaelic League, the director of the Irish Centre in London and the chairman of the Council of Irish County Associations. The Deputy will agree that that distinguished gathering covers——
The Minister left out the Cavan Association.
(Cavan): I did not. I had a great night with them in Birmingham. I met the chairman of the Council of Irish County Associations.
When the Minister met the director of the Irish Centre in London did he indicate he would give him financial support in relation to a number of projects they are undertaking?
The Deputy is raising a wider and a separate matter.
It arises directly from the Minister's answer.
(Cavan): I had a sociable, interesting and pleasant conversation with Father Cagney during my visit there. I was seated next to him during the dinner and we had a very useful exchange of views.
I appreciate that on a social occasion anything said would be of a private nature, but the Minister will have received a memo from Father Cagney, as director of the Irish Centre, indicating the urgent need for financial support for that very worthy centre which the Minister will agree is doing wonderful work for Irish people going there, destitute people——
The Deputy is widening the scope of the question.
The Minister came in on the crest of a social wave——
(Cavan): I did not find any generous precedent when I came in.
Did the Minister discuss the complaints these organisations made last year in regard to travel facilities and so on?
(Cavan): The Deputy may take it that I met all the people I have mentioned on a social occasion, having invited them there. We discussed tourism in general, and visits to Ireland.