asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will consider as a matter of urgency the appointment of a permanent Irish representative in Strasbourg in view of the many requests for such a necessary appointment.

The question of the appointment of a resident permanent representative of Ireland to the Council of Europe is under review at the present time, but I do not wish to anticipate the result of that review.

In view of the most unsatisfactory position at present, will the Minister endeavour to expedite a very early and favourable decision? Is the Minister aware that the present permanent representative has not got a typist, typewriter or a means of being contacted if he is not in his room at parliament buildings? This is a most unsatisfactory situation because we are one of the few countries with no permanent representative resident in Strasbourg. Will the Minister rectify this most intolerable and unsatisfactory position?

I agree that the position is unsatisfactory and that is why the review has been undertaken. I hope to be able to resolve the matter satisfactorily.