asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of Irish citizens employed in the Irish Embassy at Moscow; the number of Soviet citizens employed in the Soviet Embassy at Dublin; and the reason for the discrepancy.

There are seven Irish citizens employed in the Irish Embassy in Moscow and 17 Soviet citizens employed in the Soviet Embassy in Dublin.

The number of Irish citizens assigned to the Embassy at Moscow is sufficient to ensure the satisfactory functioning of the embassy and at present there is no necessity for us to consider increasing the number.

Is the Minister satisfied that all the Soviet citizens employed in the Russian Embassy here are in fact genuine diplomats, or is he aware of a widespread belief that a good proportion of them, at least—as is the case in virtually all other countries—are not diplomats but spies and people are members of the KGB?

The position is that there are five diplomatic officers amongst the 17. That is, I think, no more than Nigeria has, or Japan and less than Australia. The remaining staff are engaged on other activities in the embassy, as is normal in embassies where there are diplomatic staff, secretarial staff, chauffeurs and so on.

Does the Minister agree that some at least of these people are members of the KGB?

No, Sir, I have no such information.

Does the Minister not think it likely, in view of the fact that the Ambassador himself has a background in that particular organisation?

I am not aware of any basis for that allegation.

May I intervene here?

Would the Minister?

Order. When a representative appointed by another Government has been accredited to this State it is improper to question his character, credentials or previous background.