asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he or any official met recently with a prominent Soviet journalist; if so, at whose request the meeting was arranged; and the purpose of the meeting.

I am not aware of any such meeting.

23.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether further consideration has been given to establishing diplomatic links with the Soviet Union.

As I have indicated in replying to similar question in the past, I do not consider it appropriate to discuss publicly the possibility of establishing diplomatic relations with particular countries.

Could I ask the Minister what is the present position of the abortive treaty negotiated between the present President of Ireland and the representatives of the Government of Comrade Lenin in the early 1920s, between this State and the Bolshevik state?

I should have to have notice of that question.

It does not arise.

It arose at that time and has been conveniently forgotten since.