Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Nov 1991

Vol. 412 No. 5

Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Meeting with British Prime Minister.

John Bruton

Question:

1 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if, having regard to his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 19 of 16 October, 1991 to the effect that plans for a meeting with the British Prime Minister would be announced in accordance with established practice simultaneously in Dublin and London, he or any official of his Department had any part in making known unilaterally on the Irish side of a proposed meeting with the British Prime Minister as outlined in a media report (details supplied).

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

2 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Taoiseach if the British authorities were consulted in advance of the announcement last month of a planned summit meeting between the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister; if any date has yet been set for the proposed meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.

In reply to questions on 16 October last, I stated that plans for a meeting with the British Prime Minister would be announced, in accordance with established practice, simultaneously in Dublin and London close to the time of the meeting. That remains the position and the newspaper report referred to by Deputy J. Bruton does not alter it.

The Deputy will, of course, be aware that the decision to hold the meeting was announced publicly in the agreed communiqué issued following my meeting in London on 21 June last with the British Prime Minister.

Mr. J. Bruton

Has any decision been taken to have a meeting on a particular day or even in a particular month?

The Taoiseach

No, as I told the Deputy, when the day is decided it will be announced in both capitals.

Mr. J. Bruton

If no decision has been taken to have a meeting on a particular day or month what was the Government Press Secretary talking about.

The Taoiseach

The Government Press Secretary was simply repeating what had already been said publicly in London by both myself and the British Prime Minister.

Proinsias De Rossa

It would seem that the Government Press Secretary has again overstepped his responsibilities in this matter. Will the Taoiseach say whether there has yet been an agreed date fixed between himself and Mr. Major, the British Prime Minister?

The Taoiseach

I have already answered that in reply to Deputy John Bruton. I must repeat that the Government Press Secretary simply repeated something that the British Prime Minister had publicly announced in London in June, namely, that it was decided that a meeting would be held in the autumn prior to the Maastricht Summit in December.

Proinsias De Rossa

As I understand it, the statement made by the Government Press Secretary, and subsequently by the Taoiseach within his own party, was that a meeting had been fixed to meet Mr. Major and that this was part of his agenda before the Maastricht Summit. I am asking whether there were any discussions with the British authorities at this point to establish the date for such a meeting?

The Taoiseach

Neither I or anybody else said that a meeting had been fixed. What we said was it had been agreed to have a meeting before the Maastricht Summit. That was announced in the communiqué in London. In fact both of us indicated it in a public press conference in London outside Downing Street but the question of fixing the exact date of the meeting is still under consideration and will be announced in due course in both capitals.

Mr. Spring

Since the Government Press Secretary conveyed the impression, perhaps not willingly, that the meeting had been arranged, will the Taoiseach say whether the British authorities have been in contact with his office or the Government Press Secretary to give a date or make a date available?

The Taoiseach

No, the position is that both offices have been in touch and are reviewing possible dates. The governing factor is the Maastricht Summit.