asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement regarding his recent meeting in Washington with President Nixon; and at whose request the meeting was arranged.

The meeting with President Nixon was arranged at my request and covered a range of topics of interest to both countries, including the Northern Ireland situation and the air landing rights issue. It would not be in accordance with usual practice to disclose details of the discussion.

Did President Nixon offer the mediation of an American in the Northern Ireland crisis?

It would not be in accordance with practice to disclose details of the discussion.

Does the Minister see any change in Government policy on the matter of the landing rights arising from his discussion with President Nixon or does the Minister see our position on that remaining as it is following his discussion with President Nixon?

I think the next reply deals with that.