asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether our views on the crisis in Poland have been conveyed to the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact countries; and if he will make a statement on the situation.

The Deputy will be aware that the statement issued at the conclusion of the European Council on 12 December addresses among other matters the subject of East-West relations. The European Council drew particular attention to the principles of selfdetermination and non-intervention contained in the Helsinki Final Act and called on all Final Act signatory states to abide by these principles with regard to Poland and the Polish people. The statement emphasised that any other attitude would have very serious consequences for the future of international relations in Europe and throughout the world. The views of the Nine have thus been publicly and clearly stated and are obviously known to the Soviet Union and other Warsaw Pact countries.

The resolution of the Polish problem is a matter for the Polish people themselves. The situation in Poland is undoubtedly a delicate one and its development is being closely observed by Western Governments. As a measure of practical assistance the Nine have stated their willingness to meet, in so far as their resources allow, the requests for economic aid which have been made to them by Poland.

Bearing in mind the tradition in Skibbereen, we should be keeping an eagle eye on Russia. Is the Minister satisfied that there has been sufficient reaction on our part or through the EEC to the Soviet threat? Has it been made clear that the Brezhnev doctrine of intervention in Eastern bloc countries is totally rejected and that any phoney invitations will be seen to be phoney? Is the Minister aware of the troops massing on the Polish border? Will the EEC continue to bring it home in the strongest terms to the Soviets that there is an end of détente if they take this frightful step of going into Poland?

The Soviet Government are well aware of the attitude of the Community and all member states. This is a very sensitive situation and a potentially volatile one in which the least said the better beyond making one's position quite clear, which has been done.

Would the Minister not accept that vague talk about serious consequences will be seen by the Soviets for what it is — merely a bland statement? It should be spelled out to them in terms of aid, technological exchanges, détente and continuing the talks in Madrid, exactly what the consequences would be if they take this step.

Everyone understands their respective positions in this matter.

What is the Government's position on this matter?

I will not be drawn on this highly sensitive and delicate issue in this House by Deputy Harte or anyone else who wishes to be irresponsible.

I agree that this is a very desperate, serious and dangerous situation. The US called a meeting of the European states yesterday or the day before. Were we a member of that grouping to consider the question of the Polish position? Is the Minister aware that the meeting was held?

I am fully aware of what the Deputy is talking about. We were kept fully informed of the progress of that meeting.

A final supplementary. We must move on.

We were not at the meeting?

No.