asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the proposals, if any, to establish residential embassies in any of the Eastern European countries within the next 12 months and to indicate the countries which would be considered to have a priority for the establishment of such residential embassies.

The establishment of residential embassies is a matter which is kept under continuous review in the light of our international interests and the availability of the necessary resources. It would be inappropriate and contrary to international practice to speculate publicly on the question of the establishment of resident missions in Eastern Europe or elsewhere as this would be a matter for discussion between the Irish Government and any other government involved.

I appreciate that there are certain diplomatic constraints in these matters, but would the Minister indicate to the House if we can expect to see more residential embassies established in some of the Eastern European countries in the next 12 months?

The Deputy will appreciate that it is a matter for me to recommend to the Government on the priorities, having regard to the resources of personnel and otherwise, as to where our interests can best be served. I am not going to disclose what my judgment on those priorities would be or where Eastern Europe stands on that. We do have diplomatic relations with them. We are pursuing contacts at various levels with these countries to great effect. The lack of residential embassies is not a severe disability in this context.

Is the establishment of such priority made in consultation with such agencies as Córas Tráchtála?

It is, through the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy.

10.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is proposed to establish a residential embassy in China and if the establishment of an Irish embassy would be construed as an endorsement by him of recent actions taken by China against Vietnam.

The Government have decided to initiate discussions with the People's Republic of China about the establishment of diplomatic relations on a residential basis. Negotiations are proceeding and I will make an announcement on the outcome of these talks as soon as possible. The establishment of diplomatic relations with any country does not involve endorsement or criticism of any or every action by that country.