asked the Taoiseach the venues and functions at which he and the Ministers of State at his Department will attend on St. Patrick's Day 1989.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - St. Patrick's Day Functions.
1.
I will be visiting Washington on St. Patrick's Day, where I intend to meet with the new US Administration and with members of Congress. Minister of State, Deputy Vincent Brady will be attending functions associated with the Irish Centre in Birmingham.
Ministers of State, Deputy Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, Deputy Noel Treacy and Deputy Denis Gallagher will be attending functions in their respective constituencies.
I thought I would ask one or two questions about this matter but it now transpires that there are about 15 questions on the Order Paper to individual Ministers awaiting a written reply. The main reason I asked the question is that some weeks ago I heard a radio interview with this year's Marshal of the New York parade and I got the distinct impression that the lady in question is a fellow-traveller of the Provisional IRA. I was shocked to learn——
I must insist that if the Deputy wants to elicit information he must proceed by way of supplementary questions. He must also be careful about reflecting on the character of people outside this House.
I have reflected very carefully on the matter and I have no doubts that what I said is accurate——
Please, Deputy.
Is the Taoiseach in agreement with a Minister attending a parade where such an individual is given an honoured position?
I will check for the Deputy but my understanding is that no Minister is attending the New York parade.
I should like the Taoiseach to check.
I will take into account what the Deputy mentioned.
Is the Taoiseach aware of any other country in the world where the approach of the national holiday is the signal for two-thirds of its Government to scatter overseas for a week? Will he agree that any potential embarrassment of the kind mentioned by Deputy Deasy, such as will be represented by Ministers rubbing shoulders with IRA touts, would be avoided if Ministers spent the national feast-day at home?
I do not disagree with the Deputy and he knows my personal preference to be at home on St. Patrick's Day. However, on this occasion there are special circumstances which makes my presence in Washington desirable. I agree with the Deputy that Ministers, to the greatest extent possible, should be at home — preferably in their own constituencies — or at least attending the national functions. On the other hand, as the Deputy knows from his own experience, different agencies are very insistent on having Ministers at various places for the particular purpose of their brief. It is difficult for Ministers to turn down invitations to places which they are persuaded will be of benefit to our promotional efforts of one kind or another.
While I accept the reason in what the Taoiseach said, I hope he will consider that there is something undignified in the sight of the Cabinet Chamber virtually emptying as it has done under every Government at this time of year.
I agree.