asked the Minister for External Affairs whether the question of Irish participation in a European security conference has been requested informally; and whether Dublin has been considered as a venue.

As I stated in reply to questions in the Dáil on 16th and 23rd July, approaches were made to us last April and May by a number of countries, namely, Hungary, Rumania, USSR and Finland, in connection with the holding of a European Security Conference. We replied to these approaches in a positive manner subject to certain reservations which I mentioned in reply to the earlier Dáil questions referred to.

Dublin has not, to my knowledge, been considered as a possible venue for such a conference.

Is this the security conference recommended by the Council of Europe?

No. The approaches were originally made by Finland.

The political affairs committee of the Council of Europe recommended a conference. Is this the one concerned?

I do not think this is the same one. The approach to this was made by Eastern European countries. There were some echoes in one West European country.