I am very anxious to ascertain if the Minister is aware of the facts as I stated them, because if he was not aware of them this could involve revision of the circular in question. I am entitled to a reply as to whether the Minister is aware of the facts at the European Council meeting, because civil servants are not present at these meetings and some difficulties arise sometimes as to what actually happened there. I have a full record which I would be willing to furnish to the Minister.

As far as I am aware, under the provisions of the Council Act of 20 September 1976, the counting of the votes cast at Assembly Election may not begin until after the close of the poll in all the member states, and the emphasis there is on the actual counting of the votes.

No, that is not what is in the Act. That Act was, as the result of an agreement between Heads of Governments, based on an offer on our part, and other countries, that the boxes would not be opened. I am concerned lest there be a breach of faith on the part of this country, quite unintentionally by the present Government. I would ask the Minister of State to look into the record of that meeting which is in the Department of Foreign Affairs.