asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason Ireland did not support a resolution at the United Nations calling for an end to all sporting contacts with South Africa.

Ireland abstained in the vote at the 35th General Assembly on the resolution dealing with apartheid in sports because of references in the text to the International Declaration against Apartheid in Sport and the draft International Convention against Apartheid in Sport which call on Governments to take action in regard to private organisations and individuals and which it was considered might give rise to constitutional and legal difficulties.

I should emphasise that our abstention on this resolution does not in any way detract from our absolute condemnation of apartheid or from our adherence to the Olympic principle of non-discrimination in sport. In casting its vote at the General Assembly Ireland made it clear that it would continue to uphold the Olympic principle and to act in accordance with the spirit of the International Declaration on Apartheid in Sports.

38.