asked the Taoiseach if he will name those organisations and bodies whose representatives he has met or addressed in an official capacity during the past twelve weeks; if he will indicate the subject matter discussed on each occasion; and if he will state what commitments, if any, he made in each case.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Taoiseach's Official Meetings.
1.
In the case of meetings during the period which were not of a private nature, the normal procedure was followed of issuing the text of my speech or a press release covering the matters discussed and, where appropriate, commitments made.
I do not consider it appropriate to give details of private meetings held by me during the period.
Had the Taoiseach any meeting with any political party or grouping within Northern Ireland other than the SDLP?
I am not prepared to indicate, as I mentioned in the reply, what meetings of a private nature I may or may not have had.
Would the Taoiseach agree that a meeting by the Taoiseach with a political organisation or party operating within Northern Ireland can hardly be described as a private meeting?
That may be the Deputy's interpretation.
It is not the Taoiseach's interpretation?
Question No. 2.
Did the Taoiseach meet the Ulster Defence Association?
I have already indicated that I have nothing to add to my reply. I do not consider it appropriate to give details of any private meetings held by me during the period. I propose to maintain that position, otherwise I would find the discharge of my duties impossible.
Will the Taoiseach agree that he is undoubtedly not discharging his duties if he refuses to be answerable to Dáil Éireann?
I discharge my responsibility of answerability to Dáil Éireann as I see it to be appropriate. The type of constraints which the Deputy seeks to impose on me in the discharging of my duties and in my answerability are of a kind that have never been accepted by any of my predecessors and I do not propose to accept them.
Question No. 2. We have had enough supple mentaries.
Will the Taoiseach agree that no predecessor of this refused to be answerable to Dáil Éireann particularly with regard to a meeting——
We are just getting into an argument. Question No. 2.
——with a political grouping in Northern Ireland which the Taoiseach states he would regard as a private meeting?
To the Deputy's disappointment I have been elected by Dáil Éireann and am answerable to Dáil Éireann. I will discharge that answerability as appropriate.
Question No. 2.
The Taoiseach is also answerable to the people.