asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he intends to establish a State-sponsored body or agency to administer the allocation of overseas development assistance.

31.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he intends to establish an overseas development council representative of the interests involved to advise on this country's overseas development assistance policy.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 31 together. I am at present reviewing all aspects of our overseas development assistance policy and I hope to be in a position to indicate the Government's intentions in regard to such matters as those referred to in the questions in the fairly near future.

I should like to ask the Minister what the "very near future" means? Is it the near immediate future or the very immediate future? I am sorry to question the Minister but his definition would help.

I accept the Deputy's interest. I should like to say that I have had consultations with those most directly concerned and I have indicated to them that I hope by next month to be able to have a round table conference. For those who press I should like to say that my predecessor gave a commitment in 1974 that there would be a White Paper in the beginning of 1975 and, therefore, I do not think they are in a strong position to talk about a timetable.