andMr. T. Leonard asked the Minister for Health if he will make the draft convention on the use of live animals in medical and scientific experiments as drawn up last year by the Council of Europe Committee of Experts on the Protection of Animals available to members of the Oireachtas and members of the IAVS and the ISPCA, if he will invite the comments of these societies and consider their views when expressing the views of the Irish Government to the said committee of experts and if he has any proposals to increase official representation at the discussions on the use of laboratory animals in addition to officials from the Department of Agriculture.

The draft convention on the use of live animals in medical and scientific experiments is a document with restricted circulation. I am not free to circulate it to the extent suggested by the Deputy.

Medical officers from my Department have attended meetings of the Council of Europe Committee of Experts when their attendance is considered necessary in the consideration of the draft convention.