asked the Taoiseach the total cost of the reception hosted by the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach at the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, on 22 January last; the total number of guests who were present; the purpose of the reception; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Reception.
2.
The total cost of catering for the State reception to which the Deputy refers amounted to £2,378.80 and the total number of guests who were present was 450.
The purpose of the reception was to mark the closing year of the United Nation's Decade for Women, which commenced after International Women's Year, 1975, and ends this year. The guests at the reception included a Government Minister; Ministers of State; Members of the Oireachtas; members of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Women's Rights; members of the Diplomatic Corps; people from Northern Ireland; representatives from the Council for the Status of Women and from other women's groups not affiliated to the Council, such as the Ballymun Pre-School Playgroups Association; trade unionists and other representative groups and individuals drawn from the sub-themes of the decade, which are employment, health and education.
I shall let the Minister off with her little joke.
Deputy Haughey was not invited. We know that.
That is disgusting.
The Minister knows that I am a supporter in anything that she does to improve the status of women in this society of ours.
Deputy, a question, please.
Does the Minister feel that the £2,300-odd which we spent on this reception could not have been spent more beneficially on some tangible publication for women or for some of the women's organisations which are in need of support?
I trust that the Deputy or the Deputies opposite are not inferring that because this event related to women's achievements, it should have been some kind of tea party and buns affair in some back kitchen, because that day is gone.
Deputies
Hear, hear.
There are many publications coming out this year which will give assistance, support and advice to women. I should be very happy to circulate these to the House and the Deputy in question.
Another one for the journalists around Leinster House
As the Minister spoke at the reception concerning various committees in which she is involved, could she indicate whether the legislation which she promised will be available shortly — for instance, legislation on legitimacy and on the domicile of women? Will these promises be met?
That is a separate question.
That is a separate question, indeed.
The issue on legitimacy is not directly related to the United Nations.
Those promises will be broken the same as every other one has been.
I am trying to establish that this reception must have had some purpose other than to get together. I presume its purpose was to announce some tangible——
That is a separate question.
——improvement in the status of women? I am asking the Minister of State if the Bill on legitimacy and that on the domicile of women and the report of the inter-departmental working party will be available shortly, or when any or all will be available.
They could be questions for other Ministers, Deputy.