asked the Minister for Finance the Government's attitude to the application by the Chilean government to the World Bank for a loan of 40 million dollars.

I understand that the Chilean authorities have been engaged in discussions with the management of the World Bank about the possibility of obtaining a loan of 40 million dollars in respect of a highway project. However, it is not yet clear whether, or when, any proposal for a loan will be presented to the executive board of the bank. If such a proposal is made it will have to be considered by the executive board of the bank in accordance with the bank's articles of agreement. So far as the Government's general attitude to loan applications by Chile to international bodies is concerned, I would refer the Deputy to the comprehensive statement made to the House by the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, on 15 February 1979, in reply to a question on this subject.

Is the Minister aware of the apparent discrimination between different regimes in Chile by international financial agencies in that when there was a democratic regime in that country finance was not available but that as soon as that regime fell, finance became available despite the alleged non-political character of the decision-making process in these financial bodies? Will the Minister take account of this matter in considering the Irish Government's position on loans of this kind?

As I have indicated, the Irish Government's position on this matter was set out in this House on 15 February by the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs.