asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has made any representations either directly, or through the United Nations, in regard to the position of Nelson Mandela who has been imprisoned in South Africa since 1963.

The Government have repeatedly condemned the apartheid system in South Africa and are deeply concerned about the systematic abuse of human rights which it entails. The Government have made known on a number of occasions their concern in particular at the ruthless repression of those such as Nelson Mandela who oppose the apartheid system. Recently on 19 October 1979, the Day of Solidarity with South African Political Prisoners. Ireland made a statement on behalf of the nine to the United Nations General Assembly which called on the South African Government to release immediately and unconditionally all political prisoners. In the absence of diplomatic relations with South Africa protests by Ireland directly to the South African Government are not likely to be effective. We have, however, been associated with our partners in the nine on a number of occasions in direct approaches to the South African Government seeking the release of political prisoners in South Africa and I am sure the nine will take similar action as appropriate in the future.