asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the present state of negotiations between the IDA and various interested parties regarding the establishment of a smelter in this country.

On-going contracts with relevant interests are being maintained by the IDA, but it is not possible at this stage to say what the outcome may be.

Is it a fact that the Russian offer was of the kind entered into in India, Egypt and in France, that is that we would pay after the smelter was built? Will the Minister of State tell us why since the Russians made this offer in January and asked the IDA for details of specifications and expenses——

The question asked for the present state of negotiations.

——they have not heard anything further from the IDA?

Question No. 27.

This is a most important question.

It is, but it is not quite relevant.

If the Deputy wishes to know what the precise situation is as regards the points he made, he might like to put a separate question to the Minister.

I have asked what the present position is. Why is it that the IDA have ignored the application made by the Russians to build a smelter as long ago as January last?

That is a separate question.

It is not.

It is a separate question. The question before me relates to the present state of negotiations.

Is this not a political decision made by the IDA? Is this not NATO politics and is it not quite outrageous that the IDA have not considered this Russian offer?

I am calling Question No. 27.

Political decisions are made by the Government and not by the IDA.

That is exactly what I am asking the Minister. Why are the IDA making this political decision in respect of the Russian offer.

The IDA have made no political decisions.

The IDA have refused to give the details. Will the Minister give us an undertaking that the IDA will be told to supply specifications and details of expenses of the smelter requested by the Russians last January?

The Deputy might put down a question on those lines. Question No. 27.

Will the Minister of State give us that undertaking?

No, I am not prepared to do that.

Question No. 27.

The Minister is not prepared to give the undertaking. Is it not quite clear that the Minister of State has admitted that the Government have taken a political decision to deny the Russians the right to at least put forward an option in relation to the Japanese offer and to give the unfortunate Irish people a chance of getting something for little or nothing or at least something that they could pay for afterwards.

I have suggested that the Deputy ask a separate question on those lines and I am asking the Minister to answer Question No. 27.

This is NATO politics, is it not?

I did not say that.

The Minister of State did say that.

Please, Deputy, the argument has gone on long enough.

This is a complete scandal.

There is nothing in the question about a Russian offer. The question asks for——

By paying the Japanese to build a smelter——

Order, please.

Order please, Deputy Browne.

It is scandalous.