Jim O'Keeffe
Question:1 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Taoiseach whether he has any plans to meet President Boris Yelstin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Invitation to President Yeltsin.
I have made it clear to President Yeltsin that he would be very welcome to visit Ireland at a mutually convenient date.
When the Tánaiste met the Russian Foreign Minister, Mr. Kosyrev, in Shannon on 22 March he reiterated my hope that President Yeltsin would be able to visit Ireland, either for a brief stop-over or for a longer visit.
A visit by President Yeltsin would serve to enhance and further deepen the strong relationship which is developing in economic and other areas between Ireland and Russia.
I am very glad that the Taoiseach has extended an invitation to President Yeltsin. Does the Taoiseach accept that when we are talking about Russia we are referring to a country, as described in yesterday's Irish Times, that is lurching towards anarchy? Does the Taoiseach accept that if anarchy triumphs the effects would reverberate around the world? Will he agree that it is very much in Ireland's interests, bilaterally, with the EC and otherwise, to join in any effort to support the reforms to help establish a market economy and reinforce the democratic process in Russia?
The Deputy has gone considerably beyond the subject matter of his question which was merely to ask whether the Taoiseach had any plans to meet President Yeltsin.
I have referred to what the Taoiseach would be raising with him.
That is quite an extension of the question. The Deputy should have tabled a comprehensive question if he wanted to go into the detail of policy.
The difficulty is that if I had done so the Taoiseach would not have taken the question.
I do not know.
As the Taoiseach has issued an invitation I could ask what the agenda would be for such a meeting in the event of the invitation being accepted. In fact I am suggesting an agenda to the Taoiseach. I am sure the Taoiseach would have no problem in agreeing to what I have suggested.
The Deputy has gone beyond the subject matter of the question he has tabled. I am now proceeding to questions nominated for priority.
I am sure the Taoiseach would have no problem in agreeing the importance of what I am suggesting. Will the Chair let him answer the question?
I have explained the position of the Chair.
Is the Taoiseach not willing to answer my question?
Of course I would be, if the Deputy were in order.
I call Deputy John Bruton.
Do I take it that despite the invitation from the Ceann Comhairle, the Taoiseach is not willing to answr any question?
No, I have not done that.
Has the Taoiseach any plans to meet the President of Russia, in particular in the context of the CSCE, and does he have views on the way the CSCE could be strengthened to provide for greater protection for minorities, which is a matter of concern both to Russia internally and to Russian minorities in surrounding states, as it is to this State?
This question asks the Taoiseach whether he has any plans to meet President Yeltsin and I have advised Members not to go beyond subject matter.
My question was asked in that particular context.
I call Deputy Cullen.
I wish to ask the Taoiseach whether it has been indicated to President Yeltsin that Ireland would be willing to host any summit meetings that he may have in the future.
Order. The House will move on to other questions.
In the context of what has already been said, I am sure the Taoiseach might like to answer my question.
I am now proceeding to deal with Question No. 2, to the Minister for Enterprise and Employment.
The Taoiseach indicated that he had invited President Yeltsin to come here.
If the Deputy wishes to find out that information he should table an appropriate question.
Perhaps the Taoiseach might like to answer.
I am sorry, Deputy. I have called Question No. 2, and I will be heard.
It is traditional when a Deputy in whose name there is a question asks a supplementary question he or she is given an answer.
If the question is in order.
Provided the Deputy is in order.
I have no responsibility for the replies of the Taoiseach or those of Ministers. Question No. 2 has been called.
Could I suggest that it is also traditional that after other Deputies have raised supplementary questions the Deputy who tabled the question is given the opportunity——
If it is relevant, Deputy. I call Question No. 2.
What is meant by that, Sir? Am I not allowed ask a supplementary question?
Please, Deputy. I do not seek an argument with the Deputy and I may not be argued with. I have ruled on this matter. I have called Question No. 2, and the House will now proceed.
Is the Chair ruling that in this case he is not allowing me ask a supplementary question?
Order. I have allowed the Deputy a considerable number of supplementary questions.
No, Sir, you allowed me ask one supplementary question, which you ruled out of order. Is the Chair not allowing me ask another supplementary question?
No. The Deputy is seeking to argue with the Chair and I will not allow that. If the Deputy is dissatisfied with my action in this matter, he has a remedy.
I suggest that we should not have a row. I wish to raise a point of order. I emphasise that I do not want to have a row with the Chair. I suggest, however, quite seriously, that if the Chair takes the line that when questions of policy are raised he has a difficulty in allowing supplementary questions——
The Deputy is continuing to argue with me. That is not a point of order. I will hear no more on this subject from the Deputy.
I wish to raise a point of order.
No, Deputy. If the Deputy persists I shall have to ask him to leave the House.
Will the Chair not allow me to raise a point of order?
The Deputy has already raised a point of order, which was, indeed, not a point of order.
I did not have the opportunity to raise a point of order.
The Chair allowed supplementary questions of this nature with respect to other meetings with other statespeople.
Yes.
This question is specific. It concerns whether plans have been made to meet a dignitary of another state, nothing more.
You are, therefore, denying me the right to ask a supplementary question. I want that on the record. That is outrageous behaviour.
The Deputy is persistent, I grant the Deputy that.
I am very dissatisfied.
Before the Minister for Enterprise and Employment proceeds with the next question, I wish to point out, as is my wont, perhaps to a nauseating extent, that the questions upon which we are about to embark are Priority Questions, for which 20 minutes only are provided in the Standing Orders of the House.