asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the participation of the Irish Rugby Football Union in the forthcoming tour of South Africa and Zimbabwe by the Irish and British rugby team.

16.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the details of the directive issued by him to the Irish Rugby Football Union on its participation in the forthcoming Lions' tour.

17.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement concerning the issue of leave of absence to employees of Government Departments or State-sponsored bodies who may be appointed to official positions or selected as players in the forthcoming Lions' tour of South Africa and Zimbabwe.

18.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the recent refusal to allow white and coloured schoolboys to play together in the Craven Rugby Festival in South Africa has been drawn to the attention of the Irish Rugby Football Union and if a request has been issued to them to review their decision to participate in the forthcoming Lions' tour.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 to 18 together.

The views of the Government on sporting contacts with South African teams with specific reference to rugby football, were outlined in their statement of 18 September last, and in my predecessor's statement of 4 September, in connection with the proposed visit to Ireland by a South African team.

The Government remain of the view that the Olympic principle of nondiscrimination cannot be satisfactorily observed in a situation in which the local organisation of many sports in South Africa, including rugby football, continues to be largely determined by the organisation of society in South Africa on the racially segregated basis of the apartheid system. The case to which Deputy O'Keeffe refers serves to illustrate the issues which exists in this area.

The Government, furthermore, continue to believe that a number of broader considerations must be taken into account in such matters: in particular, our general policy towards apartheid, a system which strikes at the basis of fundamental human rights, the dignity and worth of the human person; the South African Government's policy of promoting sporting contacts for political ends; and the concerted approach of the United Nations, of the international community in general and of many sections of the international community towards sporting contacts with South Africa.

Accordingly the Government are opposed to Irish participation in the proposed rugby tour of South Africa. I am satisfied that the IRFU are fully aware of the Government's views which were communicated to them before any decisions about the tour were announced. I would hope, however, that they would reconsider their decision to participate in the light of public concern, particularly that expressed by other sportsmen.

In accordance with the Government's policy, applications for special leave to facilitate participation in the proposed tour will not be granted by Government Departments. As regards State-sponsored bodies, the granting of leave is of course a matter within the competence of each body, but if the matter should arise I trust that they would have due regard to Government policy.

Will the Minister say whether or not he and the Government have any possible action in view by way of the removal or alteration of financial concessions such as removal of VAT from the sale of tickets to sporting functions and so on to sporting organisations who go against the Government wishes in the matter of the forthcoming tour of South Africa?

The questions relate purely to the tour of South Africa by the Irish and British rugby team. I have indicated our position on that. We like to do what we can where possible but there are various areas into which it is not practicable to go.

Does the Minister believe that the Government stand in relation to the proposed tour will be effective?

We are living in a free society in which democratic principles obtain and I could not stop an Irish citizen from going on an Irish passport and I would not be a member of a Government that could do such a thing. All we can do is persuade by example and moral leadership in regard to what we consider to be the right approach and that is what we have done in this case as far as possible.

Will the Minister give an assurance, in one area in which the Government have a potential responsibility, that Ministers of the Government will refrain from attending matches sponsored by organisations which contravene the Government wishes in this regard?

We are widening the discussion.

The Deputy is widening the scope of the debate considerably.

What did the wisdom of the Minister for Education blurt out?

I would like to see Deputy Harte at a GAA match in Crossmaglen.

What is the inference there? Is it that it is only people like the Minister for Education who are entitled to go to matches like that?

I am afraid the Members are having a match across the floor.

Is it that he falls into the category of the real republicans?