asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the date of his proposed meeting with the British Foreign Secretary and if he will outline details of the proposed agenda.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meeting with British Foreign Secretary.
24.
The date of my proposed meeting with the British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will be announced at an appropriate time.
The meeting will afford an opportunity for a first exchange of views on current international political and economic matters.
May I take it that there is no hard date selected for such a meeting in the immediate future?
There is no hard date but we are seeking to get a date that is mutually suitable.
In regard to the agenda, I should like to know if the Minister would be more specific as to the items he might be proposing to place on it.
I will help to prepare an appropriate agenda and I regard that as part of my responsibility.
What has the Minister in mind as being appropriate for such an agenda?
I have not the slightest intention of telling the Deputy what I propose to include as an appropriate agenda.
I should like to know if, in accordance with the former Taoiseach's commitment to the Fianna Fáil policy of 1975 in relation to Northern Ireland, the Minister will be seeking a commitment from the British Government of withdrawal from Northern Ireland.
I will be talking to the British Foreign Secretary as a Fianna Fáil Minister for Foreign Affairs in a Fianna Fáil Government.
That is not what I asked the Minister. I asked the Minister if he would be seeking a commitment to withdrawal by the British Government or not.
I will be talking within the parameters of the Taoiseach's Ard Fheis speech.
And that did not mention withdrawal.
And I will be speaking for Ireland. Deputy Cluskey does not know what "Ireland" means.
There was no mention of withdrawl in that noisy——
If I were to confuse the Minister with my view of what "Ireland" means I would be very upset. I will not do so.
We now have the new dictator.
I am entitled to ask if the Minister intends seeking, in accordance with Fianna Fáil policy of 1975, a commitment to a British withdrawal from Northern Ireland.
Deputies cannot ask for details of all the items that may be on such an agenda.
I am concerned about one matter.
The question is not in order. If I allow one such question I cannot preclude others.
Is the Minister not prepared to answer my question?
I will be talking business on behalf of Ireland. That is why I have been elected to this side of the House and the Deputy has not. The Irish people do not regard the Deputy as the type of person who can talk on behalf of Ireland properly or responsibly.
Not out of both sides of my mouth, like the Minister and the Taoiseach.
The Minister has said he will be talking about Ireland and I should like to know if this "Ireland" consists of 26 counties or 32 counties?
I am an Irish Minister representing a sovereign Irish State.
I do not wish to accuse the Minister of speaking out of both sides of his mouth but he should get his understanding of Ireland correct.
Would the Chair ask the Deputy to sit down?
Ireland is an island of 32 counties——
Of course we will be talking about the affairs of all 32 counties of Ireland.
That is what Deputy Cluskey is asking about, but why is the Minister so reluctant to give the answers?
I thought that was self-evident.
Am I right in understanding from what the Minister has said that Northern Ireland will be on the agenda formally for the meeting?
Of course. Surely the Deputies do not need elaboration on that.
We want an answer. Is the answer yes or is it no?
Question No. 25 has been called.