Jim O'Keeffe
Question:2 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Taoiseach the plans, if any, he has for travelling abroad for the rest of 1993.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Taoiseach's Visits Abroad.
As I have already indicated to the House, I will be meeting the British Prime Minister later this month. This meeting will take place in London. I am also scheduled to visit Paris this month for meetings with President Mitterrand and Prime Minister Balladur. Together with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, I will attend the European Council Meeting in Copenhagen on 21-22 June. In accordance with normal practice details of any further visits abroad will be announced at the appropriate time.
Would the Taoiseach say whether he intends to involve himself in further fund raising activities for the Fianna Fáil Party in the course of any outings to America or elsewhere later in the year? Would he not agree that it is entirely inappropriate that he, as head of Government should make arrangements to travel at taxpayers' expense for such fund raising events?
I must dissuade Members from approaching matters from that point of view.
Are you not allowing the question?
In his capacity as Leader of his party, he is not responsible to this House for his actions, no more than any other Members who are leaders of their parties.
No other Leader of any party has his expenses paid to America to raise funds.
Would you not think the supplementary reasonable within the context of the question I tabled?
A relevant question would be quite in order, Deputy.
Are you saying that my question is in order?
Your question to the Taoiseach, in his personal capacity as Leader of his party, is not in order, Deputy.
I see. Well, could I ask the Taoiseach then——
As Taoiseach he is responsible to this House——
May I ask the Taoiseach whether, in his capacity as Taoiseach, travelling later this year to America or elsewhere, he intends to engage in any activities that would not relate solely to his position as Taoiseach but which might relate to some other position which he holds?
There are a number of invitations outstanding for the remaining part of the year in respect of which no decisions have been taken. The Deputy's conscience can be put at ease by my saying that I have no further invitations in regard to the matter he has raised.
While I welcome the Taoiseach back from Kuala Lumpur and admire his Malaysian sun tan, would he not consider it was entirely inappropriate for him, coming back from a visit abroad, to behave in the manner he did yesterday, walking out of a press conference, because he was not asked the kind of questions he wanted to answer?
Please, Deputy O'Keeffe.
Perhaps I should rephrase my question. Would the Taoiseach not consider that it is appropriate, on his return to this country——
The Taoiseach's plans for travelling abroad are the subject matter of this question, nothing else.
Would the Taoiseach agree, when he returns from travelling abroad, that, as Taoiseach, he should answer questions put to him at a press conference and not walk out merely because he is not asked the questions he wants to answer?
May I put the Deputy at ease by reminding him that I answered every question I was asked last evening at the airport? If Deputy Jim O'Keeffe thinks otherwise, he should consult somebody who was there. That is the accurate record. I raised no problem about any questions I was asked.
Is the Taoiseach denying that he walked out?
When the interview had been completed and the microphones switched off, I left the building.
Did the Taoiseach walk out?
I did not walk out of the press conference. I left when it was over. The Deputy had better get his story right.
The Taoiseach had better reinstate his weekly press briefings.
A relevant question from Deputy Shatter on travelling abroad.
Yes, Sir, travelling abroad on an entirely different issue from that which caused the Taoiseach's difficulties last evening——
No difficulties.
Within the context of the Taoiseach's plans to travel abroad, can he inform the House whether he intends shortly to visit Sicily, and whether it is envisaged, during the course of such visit, he will meet various business connections in Sicily with a view to ascertaining how legislation should be drafted to allow for tax amnesties and money launderings through Ireland?
Another smart alec question that will keep Deputies opposite where they are for the next four years.
Please, Deputy Shatter. The Deputy may not circumvent the ruling of the Chair. He must desist from making any further remarks of that kind. The Deputy may not continue with this trend of thought.
Is the Taoiseach aware that certain business interests in Sicily are experiencing certain difficulties in that regard? Is it his intention to facilitate them?
The Deputy must cease posing these types of supplementaries. I am proceeding to the next question.
Will the Taoiseach tell the House whether he intends to meet with members of Cosa Nostra or any other similar organisation?
I am proceeding to the next question, No. 3.