asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will state what proposals for the expenditure of the£6,000,000 from the American Grant Counterpart Fund have been made to the Government of the United States of America.

asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will state whether congressional approval has yet been obtained for any schemes for the use of the Grant Counterpart Fund; and, if so, for what schemes.

asked the Minister for External Affairs if the Government and the Congress of the United States of America have considered and approved of the Irish Government's proposals for the expenditure of the American Grant Counterpart Fund; and, if not, when he expects them to do so.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to answer Questions Nos. 58, 59 and 60 together.

In reply to questions on the 10th June, 1952, the 18th February and the 23rd April, 1953, I outlined the various schemes for the utilisation of the American Grant Counterpart Fund, which have been submitted to the United States authorities.

Congressional approval has not yet been obtained for any of these schemes, which are still under consideration by the American authorities. I am not in a position to indicate when approval will be forthcoming.