asked the Taoiseach the number of Deputies and Senators invited to the State reception held at Dublin Castle on 5 June 1980 in honour of Dr. John Armstrong, Archbishop of Armagh; and the number of members invited from each parliamentary party.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - State Reception.
1.
It would not be in accordance with established practice, to provide details of the guest lists for State receptions. I am satisfied that both Houses of the Oireachtas were appropriately represented on the occasion in question.
Surely it would not be too much to ask for the precise figures for each parliamentary party. Perhaps I am incorrect, but I understand that there was a great imbalance in that the Government party had far in excess of the other two parties.
The Deputy is making a statement. We can have questions only.
I would like if even the percentages could be given.
I will look into it to see if there was any element of disproportion.
I gave a week's notice. This question has been in for ten days.
I had no idea what the Deputy had in mind. It would be a very great pity if that particular reception were to become the subject of any bickering.
Deputies
Hear, hear.
The question could have been applied to any reception.
A supplementary from Deputy FitzGerald.
The Taoiseach suggested that there was appropriate representation. Could he tell us what he thinks is appropriate representation from the different parties? We are not clear what the word means to him.
I am satisfied that I made sure that all parties in the House and the different interests were represented adequately on that occasion. I think that this is the first time that this sort of question was ever put down in the House and it is a great pity in regard to this reception, at any rate, that this sort of question should be raised here. I had no idea that any of the Opposition parties were disturbed in any way about this matter. If I had known I would have made sure that it would have been avoided on that occasion.
Ceist a dó.
On a point of information, Deputy Begley had a similar question two or three weeks ago.
The Deputy is making statements. Ceist a dó.