asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has indicated to the other participating nations the subjects he wishes to have discussed at the forthcoming summit conference and their order in priority.

18.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has received from the other participating countries their views on the subjects for discussion at the forthcoming summit conference.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 18 together.

We have made known to the other participating countries our views on the matters which we consider should be dealt with at the proposed summit conference and the views of the other countries have been communicated to us.

Would the Minister indicate which subject he regards as requiring priority at the conference?

We attach particular importance to economic and monetary union and social policies and we regard the development of a coherent regional policy as an important part of that.

Do our priorities coincide with the priorities as indicated in information which the Minister received from other participating countries?

There were ten countries involved and there is different emphasis but some of the other countries would have the same interest as we have.

Have any of the other countries put as a priority the question of the veto in the Council of Ministers?

I have a problem in so far as the proceedings are confidential and even though there are leaks, I am not in a position to say what is in the documents. I have a problem because of that.

May I put it to the Minister that far from there being only leaks, there are positive speeches by Ministers in the countries involved indicating what their views are as to what subjects should be discussed.

But not necessarily documents. People are entitled to say it as I am entitled to say what we think but I am not entitled to say what is in a document I get from another country.