asked the Taoiseach the reasons for his recent visit to the United States and Canada; if he will indicate the conferences he attended during his visits; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
2.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Taoiseach's North American Visit.
1.
asked the Taoiseach whether his attendance at the Bilderberg Conference is in an official or a private capacity.
3.
asked the Taoiseach if he will outline the aims of the Bilderberg Group since its foundation and whether it regularly discusses military questions such as the role of NATO and similar issues.
4.
asked the Taoiseach if he will list the agenda and names of the participants at this year's Bilderberg Conference.
5.
asked the Taoiseach if his remarks to the Foreign Policy Association in New York to the effect that the Northern Ireland problem is not a problem between Britain and Ireland and that the solution has to be found in Northern Ireland mean that he has now rejected the Report of the New Ireland Forum, having regard to its emphasis on constitutional structures for a new Ireland.
I propose to take Questions 1 to 5 inclusive, together. In reply, I would refer the Deputies to the statement on my recent visit to North America, which I will be making immediately on the conclusion of Question Time.
Can the Taoiseach now tell us what is his position in relation to the New Ireland Forum Report and Northern Ireland, if the statement attributed to him in America that an internal solution is the option now preferred by the Government represents a reflection of Government policy?
I will not anticipate my statement. The Deputy can take it that I will be dealing with that very fully and satisfactorily in my statement.
I appreciate that the Taoiseach may be dealing with it in his statement but there will not be an opportunity for the Taoiseach to respond when the statements are made. I assume that he would be anxious to respond to questions raised. If Government policy is in the direction of an internal solution, I would welcome that. Does the Taoiseach intend now, or in the course of his statement, to deal with his presence at the Bilderberg Conference and, if so, would he say what function he had at that conference?
My statement will cover all aspects of Questions 1 to 5.
I feel I must protest at this parliamentary tactic in which the Taoiseach is engaging in refusing to answer parliamentary question, questions which have been on the Order Paper for some time and in which there is great public interest. I must ask the Taoiseach, first, if he will give us information on my questions to him and second, whether he did attend this Bilderberg Conference in his official or private capacity. Third, I want to know who else was there, and fourth, I want to know the subjects discussed. I think I am entitled by way of parliamentary question to seek this information and to get answers.
The Deputy will get an answer to these questions when I make my statement. In view of the importance of the visit I made to the United States and the evident interest of the Opposition in it, it seemed to me that I could best fulfil my duty to the House by making a comprehensive statement. It would not limit Members of the Opposition to merely asking questions but enable them, should they wish to do so, to make comments or statements about what I would have said.
When the Taoiseach makes his statement Deputies Haughey and Mac Giolla will have an opportunity of making statements in reply but there will not be any questions.
I am now asking a supplementary question. The Taoiseach has answered five questions together and I want to ask a supplementary question. I want to ask the Taoiseach if in the statement he will be giving this afternoon he will indicate whether his attendance at that conference was in an official or private capacity, whether NATO and other military alliance issues were discussed, what were the names of the other participants and what was the agenda?
I shall be dealing with all of these points in my statement.
I must point out that this is a very unsatisfactory procedure. It seems to me to be an underhand way of dealing with this because, as you pointed out yourself, a Cheann Comhairle, while the Taoiseach can make a statement——
I did not want any misunderstanding later on. That is why I pointed it out.
——the Taoiseach will not be subject to questions on these vitally important matters. It is all very well that I, and presumably Deputy Mac Giolla, will have an opportunity of replying by statement but other Members of the House will not have the opportunity of questioning the Taoiseach on these fundamentally important issues.
The Chair has no function in the matter at this stage.
I can only conclude that the Taoiseach is covering up and is not prepared to subject himself to the normal parliamentary procedures in regard to his conduct of his office of Taoiseach.
Deputies
Hear, hear.
Question No. 6.
Could I just ask——
A Cheann Comhairle——
No, I am passing on to the next question.
Just one question, a Cheann Comhairle.
No, Question No. 6.
There are five questions taken together.
Might I ask the Taoiseach if he would accord the same facility to the elected Members of this Dáil as he did to Press representatives in the course of his visit? Would he not allow that we, representing the people of this nation, should be entitled to the same facility of question and answer as apparently he freely accorded Press representatives in the United Stated? Is that not the principle that should be adopted?
The Taoiseach has refused to answer questions in this House. It is a disgrace. I wish to protest——
The Chair has no function in this matter at this stage.
——that he can make statements to anybody and everybody outside this House, he can answer questions outside of this House but refuses to answer them in the House.
I am calling Question No. 6.
The Taoiseach gave question and answer to the Press there. We are being deprived here.
(Interruptions.)
No respect for this House.