asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is proposed to establish diplomatic relations with the Republic of Zimbabwe and if it is intended to establish a diplomatic presence in that country.

8.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is proposed to appoint an Honorary Consul in the Republic of Zimbabwe and if so, if consultations have taken place between his Department and that country.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 8 together.

The opening of diplomatic relations with states with which we do not at present have formal relations 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 about the Government's possible intention in regard to the establishment of a resident diplomatic mission in Zimbabwe or elsewhere as this requires the prior agreement of the State concerned.

With regard to the possible appointment of honorary consuls abroad, this, too, is a matter that is kept under constant review and requires the prior agreement of the other state. In the case of Zimbabwe the Government there have not yet indicated their attitude in principle to honorary consular representation. It is premature, therefore, to contemplate the appointment of an honorary consul in that country.

I can, however, say that this whole question is under consideration at present and the Government hope to establish diplomatic relations with Zimbabwe as soon as it is feasible to do so.

In relation to what the Minister has just said about the time limit involved, is the delay on this side or on their side? Can he give a timetable before negotiations can start? Having regard to the fact that the Republic of Zimbabwe is the only African state in which there are up to 20,000 people of Irish origin, would he not agree that it must rank for priority for a full residential diplomatic presence from the Republic of Ireland?

We have initiated talks with the Zimbabwe Government with a view to ascertaining from them what sort of diplomatic presence they want established in Zimbabwe. These talks are proceeding at present. As an immediate way of dealing with the matter we may accredit a neighbouring Ambassador there. I appreciate the importance of having an immediate diplomatic representation. The initial reaction was not that favourable towards having the honorary consul type of representation. I prefer the more professional type of representation. They are thinking in terms of that and so am I. What we will do fairly soon, as a start, is accredit one of our Ambassadors in a neighbouring African state to take in Zimbabwe as part of his mandate.

Questions Nos. 9 and 10 have been postponed.