asked the Minister for Agriculture if an international commodity agreement for wheat is in the process of negotiation; and its likely implications for Ireland.

A United Nations conference to negotiate an international agreement to replace the International Wheat Agreement 1971 held two sessions in 1978 and one session in 1979. The conference failed to reach agreement at its latest meeting and no date has been fixed for the resumption of the negotiations. The likely implications of any new agreement for Ireland cannot be assessed at present.

Do I take it that the existing 1971 agreement continues until such time as a new agreement is reached?

Yes, that is my understanding.

Is there any specific proposal before the conference, or has the matter reached that stage yet?

Negotiations are still in progress.

Is any specific proposal from the Food and Agriculture Organisation or any other competent agency being considered?

Not that I know of. I have not got the information available.

There is no concrete proposal at all?

Not that I know of.

Have the Irish Government any position on this issue? Is there anything they would like to see included in a new agreement?

That is not relevant to the question on the Order Paper. I am calling Question No. 26.