asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs (a) the number of embassies maintained by the Irish Government; (b) the location of same; and (c) the number (i) owned and (ii) rented.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to circulate a tabular statement setting out the information requested.

* Chancery and residence combined.

Is it the policy of the Government to own these premises or to rent them?

It is the intention of the Government to own the premises. We have quite a number of valuable premises, not least the premises in Paris which was under a cloud of controversy some years ago. It is now priceless, being in the heart of that beautiful city. It is a matter of economics. Some economists say it is better to lease premises and to use for other purposes the capital that would have been used in buying the premises. Other economists suggest purchase and that inflation would take care of it in time.

Was there a purchase in Moscow?

We have done our best to buy wherever possible.