asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs what follow-up the Government propose to give to Recommendation 668 (1972) of the Assembly of the Council of Europe requesting member states to set up and finance a European Freedom from Hunger Fund, notably with a view to training agricultural experts to put at the disposal of the developing countries and to establish a European Food Reserve for immediate relief in the event of great disasters in the third world.

The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to whom the recommendation was addressed have not yet taken a decision on its terms.

In general, the Government doubt the desirability of taking the action recommended by the Assembly as this could lead to duplication of work performed by other organisations, in particular, the FAO Freedom from Hunger Campaign and World Food Programme.

Would the Minister, when considering or reconsidering this question, take into account that this would provide an outlet for food produced by Irish farmers?

The outlet is already there. The attitude I have, which I think is shared by other Governments, is that the outlet is already there and duplicating it by having a European one might not be to the advantage of either the people having the food for the outlet or the people needing it.

Is the Minister or the Government prepared to consider this question?

We are considering it but that is the preliminary opinion.

The Government will take this into consideration?

Yes, surely.