asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has made any representations to the United States Government regarding their withdrawal from the International Labour Organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

11.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is considering taking any initiative in concert with other EEC states following the US decision to withdraw from the ILO.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions No. 10 and 11 together.

I regret that the United States have found it necessary to withdraw from the International Labour Organisation and I hope that they will find themselves in a position to rejoin at an early date.

Ireland, together with the other members of the European Community, has been in close contact with the United States over the two years since they gave notice of withdrawal from the ILO with a view to persuading them to continue their membership. In September, Prime Minister Tindemans of Belgium, on behalf of the Nine, delivered a letter to President Carter expressing the concern of the Nine at the possibility of US withdrawal and requesting the President to extend the United States notice of withdrawal so as to allow for further discussion and negotiations. The United States, however, did not find it possible to follow that course of action.

It had been our view that United States withdrawal from the ILO might well impair the effectiveness of an organisation that has played a major role in improving conditions of workers throughout the world and that has a major contribution to make in the field of human rights. Ireland, together with our partners in the Community, sympathised with many of the concerns which influenced the United States in their decision to withdraw. We felt, however, that it was possible to strengthen the ILO while at the same time preserving its basic integrity by discussion and negotiation with other members of that organisation. Ireland will, of course, maintain close contact with our partners in the Community regarding the future of the ILO.

As I have stated, I am sorry that the United States have found it necessary to withdraw and I hope that they may be able to rejoin at a later stage.

Will the Minister himself take the matter up with the American Secretary of State to try to influence him and the United States Government to rejoin the ILO as a matter of urgency?

As I indicated to the Deputy, this matter came up at the Council meeting which I attended and it was the unanimous feeling of all the Ministers there that on behalf of the European Community a request would be made on our behalf. I do not want to over-emphasise the impact of a personal request from me to the United States Administration. The manner in which it has been done is more effective. We are known to be very much associated with that request.

Do I understand from the Minister's reply that this Government of which he is a member have made no direct approach and no direct recommendations to the US Government?

The US Government are very well aware of our position in this matter and of our wish. I say again that it would be foolish on our part to over-state the response which would be given to us on this major issue. The United States Government are very well aware of our concern that they should return as soon as possible. We should leave it at that, otherwise we could be in danger of indulging in a degree of megalomania that what we would ask would be immediately responded to.

I ask the Minister if, in view of the US withdrawal and consequent loss of revenue to the ILO, the Irish Government or the Community as a whole have considered increasing their contribution to the ILO in order to maintain the services to the Third World in particular?

This question has not arisen as yet, but I assure Deputy Mitchell, Deputy Quinn and others who may be concerned that our commitment will be to try to persuade the American Government to return to the ILO so that it can effectively pursue the role it was pursuing. If we are successful, the problem which Deputy Mitchell has raised will not arise. If we are unsuccessful, then new funding arrangements will have to be considered.

Can the Minister tell me what efforts he and Labour Ministers for other European countries are making to eradicate those considerations?

Those political considerations go much wider than any understanding that any Labour Minister might have.

I should like to know what efforts have been made——

The Deputy cannot insist on asking questions. I am calling Question No. 12.