asked the Minister for External Affairs if, having regard to the admiration of the people of Ireland for the people of West Berlin, any protest was made by the Government against the harassment by the agents of the Russian and East German Governments of people going to and from that city; and if, having regard to the injustice of such behaviour and the threat to peace involved, Ireland will raise the matter at the United Nations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

We have made no protest against the partial interruption of surface communications to West Berlin which, as the Deputy is aware, did not prevent the successful carrying out of the election for the Presidency of the German Federal Republic.

Would the Minister not consider that the Berlin situation was and still continues to be so potentially explosive that it could well end by causing a new world war? Furthermore, having regard to the desire of the people of West Berlin to be accepted entirely as part of the Federal German Free Republic, would the Minister not consider it appropriate by some means to voice Ireland's support for the people of West Berlin and to express our fears lest any precipitate action be taken in relation to Berlin which could immerse the world in a more serious war than any mankind has yet suffered?

I think it passed off all right in the end.

So, keep our fingers crossed and do nothing. We might as well not have a Department of External Affairs.

We do all we can at the right time.

When it is too late.