John Bruton
Question:9 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent visit to England and Wales; the official engagements he undertook; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23146/99]
Ceisteanna–Questions. - Official Engagements
John Bruton
Question:10 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the engagements he undertook on his recent trip to New York; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23328/99]
John Bruton
Question:11 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with the Ireland America Economic Advisory Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23329/99]
John Bruton
Question:12 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the outcome of the review of the Good Friday Agreement undertaken by Mr. George Mitchell. [23383/99]
John Bruton
Question:13 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the recent conversations he has had with the First Minister of Northern Ireland, Mr. Trimble. [23384/99]
John Bruton
Question:14 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the recent discussions he has had with leaders of the political parties in Northern Ireland. [23385/99]
Ruairí Quinn
Question:15 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on his recent visit to the United States and, in particular, his meetings with Governor Pataki and Mayor Giuliani. [23387/99]
Joe Higgins
Question:16 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to the United States. [23439/99]
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:17 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach the contacts, if any, he has had with the British Prime Minister since 10 November 1999. [23438/99]
John Bruton
Question:18 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent visit to New York from 11 to 13 November 1999. [23599/99]
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:19 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to New York. [23672/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 to 19, inclusive, together.
I wish to object. It is unreasonable to take all these questions together. I want to ask specific questions about Nos. 18 and 19, concerning the Taoiseach's visit to New York, which are not related to the subject matter of the other questions. Given that it is now 3.10 p.m., it will not be possible to pursue all of these matters in a fair way. I know the precedent exists to take questions together but it is unfortunate in this case. I thought the Taoiseach would take a different approach. Perhaps he could move on to Question No. 20?
I will do whatever the House wishes.
(Dublin West): There are five questions relating to the Taoiseach's visit to the United States, Nos. 10,15, 16, 18 and 19. If anything should be singled out, they should be. I am sure a substantial part of Question Time next week can be devoted to questions on the North.
Does the Deputy wish to have his question postponed?
(Dublin West): No. I ask that the Taoiseach take the questions regarding his visit to the United States now.
It is a matter for the Taoiseach. Does the Taoiseach wish to comment?
I will do anything you would like me to do, a Cheann Comhairle. This is the normal system. Most of my work in America last week concerned Northern Ireland.
May we get clarification, because the Chair needs it, on what questions—
A Cheann Comhairle, I might be able to assist you. If you, in your capacity as Ceann Comhairle, will not rule out questions of a similar nature being put down next week—
Is the Deputy—
—on the grounds that they will not have been properly answered—
Deputies should simply declare now that they wish to postpone their questions until next Tuesday. Deputies with questions should indicate now to the Chair that they are agreeable to have their questions postponed to Tuesday. Is that agreeable to Deputies? We must conclude the time for questions to the Taoiseach in a little over five minutes.
(Dublin West): By next week the Taoiseach will have much more reporting to do on other visits and on the North, which I anticipate will take up a substantial part of Question Time. Therefore, he should take questions relating to the United States visit today.
It is not possible.
He cannot take those questions today.
There are only five minutes left.
A Cheann Comhairle, you can postpone whatever you like, but I cannot change my reply on my feet—
No, the Taoiseach cannot.
—so I am going to give this reply anyway.
The problem is we will not be able to ask the Taoiseach any supplementary questions.
Do I take it the questions are postponed until next Tuesday? That is agreed. We might have time for another question. Is the Taoiseach agreeable to that?
I will take Question No. 20, a Cheann Comhairle.