asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he has received any communication from the United States Government with regard to the possible cutting of Irish exports of meat to the US; whether his attention has been drawn to recent press reports of the likelihood of such a reduction following on proposals before the US Senate; and if he will make a statement on the present position in this regard.

The answer to the first part of the question is no. As regards the second and third parts, an agreement was recently made by the Irish Government with the United States Government, at the latter's request, regarding the level of Irish meat exports to the United States during the three years 1964 to 1966. Copies of the agreement have already been presented to the House.