asked the Taoiseach if he will confirm that he extended an official invitation to the former US Secretary of State, Dr. Henry Kissinger, to visit Dublin from 30 June to 1 July 1983; and the official entertainment offered by him to Dr. Kissinger in the course of his visit.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Visit by Former US Secretary of State.
9.
Dr. Kissinger, former Secretary of State to two Administrations in the United States and now Chairman of the National Bi-partisan Commission on Central America, visited this country on 30 June—1 July last as the guest of an Irish industrialist. The only official entertainment offered to him was a lunch which I hosted and which, the Deputy will recall, he was kind enough to attend himself with the Deputy Leader of his party.
I did. I was delighted to attend that lunch because I always regard it as my duty to endeavour to attend when I am invited by the Taoiseach in particular or by any Government Ministers. I accept that responsibility. I confess to the Taoiseach that on the day I did attend I was not quite sure who my host was.
A question, Deputy, please.
The Taoiseach told us about the entertainment he offered to Dr. Kissinger on a Thursday. Would he please enlighten us about the Friday? A lunch was given on Friday for Dr. Kissinger in Iveagh House. Could the Taoiseach give me some details about that lunch? Who was the host?
The host was the Royal Irish Academy and we agreed to lend the ballroom of Iveagh House for the purpose.
Who were they a front for?
Could the Taoiseach enlighten me on two matters? Was this the first time ever that Iveagh House was made available to some outside body to provide what purported to an outsider at any rate to be an official lunch? Secondly, would he be in a position to confirm my information that the Council of the Royal Irish Academy were not aware that this was happening? Could he further confirm my information to the effect that at a recent meeting of the Council of the Royal Irish Academy it was clearly stated that the Academy did not pay for that particular lunch? Could he give us some information because it is of considerable importance if Iveagh House were used for a luncheon not given by the Taoiseach or a Minister and not, as far as we are aware, paid for by the Taoiseach, a Minister, or by the Council of the Royal Irish Academy? Who paid?
From my own personal recollection I can recall when Iveagh House was made available to Lord Iveagh to host a dinner on the occasion of a conference of brewers some years ago. I know it is made available to the National University of Ireland for honorary conferrings. At this moment I cannot recall other precedents, but those precedents exist and I presume the Deputy is aware of them.
With regard to the host on that occasion, if the invitations were issued on behalf of the Royal Irish Academy, anybody invited could not have been in doubt as to who were their hosts.
Who paid for it?
This is not a matter for which I have responsibility and I am not in a position to reply——
(Interruptions.)
I will ask the Taoiseach to look into this matter because there is some considerable disquiet caused by the fact that the luncheon was given for Dr. Kissinger who has a private, commercial appointment at the moment and by the fact that Iveagh House was ostensibly used for this purpose by the Royal Irish Academy, but, apparently, was not specifically authorised by the Royal Irish Academy, and that it has been clearly stated that the Royal Irish Academy did not pay for that lunch. I hope the Taoiseach will look into this matter and tell us if this lunch was paid for from an official source. If it was not, and if it was not paid by the Council of the Royal Irish Academy, who paid for it? It is important that we know if Iveagh House was used for a private purpose and we should be given full details. I am giving the Taoiseach the opportunity to look into this and report to the House some time later.
The luncheon was not funded by any official funds whatever. The matter of the arrangements the Royal Irish Academy make for the funding of their activities, other than the grants they get from the Government, is a matter for the Academy, as for any private body. I have not the slightest intention of looking into this matter because it would be improper for me to do so.
Is the Taoiseach a member of the Royal Irish Academy?
Yes.
And also a member of the Trilateral Commission, which is closely associated with the Royal Irish Academy?
I have been, but I am not now a member of the Trilateral Commission.
(Interruptions.)
A final supplementary.
In view of the invitation to and the official welcome for Dr. Kissinger, who had no official position in the United States Government at the time, and in view of the ceremony, pomp and splendour which attended his visit, is it the Taoiseach's intention to extend an invitation to General Pinochet of Chile, who caused less bloodshed than Dr. Kissinger?