asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give an undertaking that the Government will not propose that this country should join the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

7.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether any pressure has been brought to bear on the Government to play an active role in the NATO military alliance.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to answer Questions Nos. 6 and 7 together.

The answer to the first question is in the affirmative and the answer to the second is in the negative.

Arising out of that economic reply by the Minister, may I ask him to give the House an undertaking or assurance that no commitment has been made by the Government to enter into any such pact?

That is a separate question.

That does not arise from these questions, but there is absolutely no commitment in regard to NATO and neither is there any commitment intended.