asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that certain American news media have indicated that the United States Government are contemplating an armed intervention against the independent State of E1 Salvador on behalf of the ruling junta; and if he proposes to communicate with the representatives of the American Government in this country to outline Ireland's position on the question of intervention from any source in the internal affairs of an independent state.

40.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether an approach has been made to the Government by representatives of the US administration regarding the current situation in E1 Salvador and, if so, the response made by the Government.

41.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government have been contacted either by the United States Government in Washington or by way of representations from their Embassy in Dublin in connection with the proposed intervention in the internal affairs of E1 Salvador by the Reagan administration, specifically with regard to increasing and enlarging the amount of arms and other military supplies being made available and to the possible use of United States Army personnel on behalf of the ruling military junta; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

42.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of Irish missionaries currently working in E1 Salvador; and if he has received representations from them or their organisations regarding the present repressive nature of the US backed junta in that country.

43.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if any approaches have been made to him by any foreign Government seeking support for European aid to the E1 Salvador military dictatorship.

44.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will oppose requests for aid to the E1 Salvador dictatorship both at home and at the Council of Ministers in the EEC.

45.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he agreed to or abstained on a decision of the Council of Ministers of the European Community on 17 February 1981 which decided to delay the delivery of emergency relief aid, comprising cereals, butter, oil and powdered milk from the EEC, as well as cash, pending an investigation into the bona fides of the recipients of the aid which would be carried out by the International Committee of the Red Cross in EI Salvador.

46.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is prepared to recommend that the Federation of European Voluntary Development Agencies (EEC/NGO Liaison Committee) be entrusted by the Council of Ministers and the Commission of the EEC with the distribution of the emergency relief aid which was agreed by the Community in respect of the refugees in EI Salvador.

47.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether the question of EI Salvador was raised at any stage during recent discussions between Government Ministers and officials and members of the present US administration.

48.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the recent proposal by His Lordship Bishop Casey, that this country should break off diplomatic relations with the US pending the termination of US aid to the Government of EI Salvador; and if he will consider this proposal.

49.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount and nature of (a) bilateral and (b) multilateral aid (i) being given by Ireland this year and (ii) given last year by way of food aid and emergency relief to organisations in E1 Salvador; whether there has been or will be any change in the recipients of such aid; and, if so, why.

50.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give details and dates of his representations to the Government of the United States of America regarding that administration's policies in E1 Salvador.

51.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether he intends taking any initiatives at the United Nations on the situation in E1 Salvador; and if he will make a statement on any representations he has made or received on the matter.

With the Ceann Comhairle's permission I propose to take questions Nos. 39 to 51, inclusive, together.

Shades of Dick Burke.

Will the Minister have time to reply to all of these? On a point of order, as we did not commence Question Time until 2.35 p.m., do we get an extra five minutes at the end?

No, Deputy, I am sorry.

No provision for injury time.

The Community's humanitarian aid to E1 Salvador was approved by the Council on 17 March in Brussels and will be distributed to the people most in need in E1 Salvador through the International Red Cross. This humanitarian aid consists of (i) approximately £268,000 in emergency aid from Article 950 of the Community Budget and (ii) food aid, consisting of maize and rice, amounting to 1,050 tonnes of cereal equivalent. Ireland strongly pressed for an early positive decision on this Community aid and we are pleased that we can now make a practical contribution towards relieving the suffering of the people in that country.

The Community has also lent assistance to E1 Salvador refugees in Honduras. At the end of 1980 a contribution of approximately £172,500 in emergency aid from Article 950 of the Budget was made available to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for its programme of assistance to the refugees. In a further decision, the Community has since provided emergency food aid assistance for these refugees amounting to 2,000 tonnes of cereals and 100 tonnes of milk powder.

The Government of the United States, through diplomatic channels, has communicated to us, as it has to other governments in Europe, its concern about shipments of arms from Cuba and other Marxist States to E1 Salvador. We have indicated, in turn, our support for resolutions of both the UN General Assembly and Commission on Human Rights which "call upon governments to refrain from the supply of arms and other military assistance to E1 Salvador in the current circumstances". We have also expressed our continuing disquiet about reports of widespread violations of human rights, including the killing of thousands of civilians, on the part of the E1 Salvador security forces and armed groups allied to them. I am glad to note that the United States has signified that it regards as a priority in solving the E1 Salvador crisis the holding of early elections and the urgent implementation of political and social reforms.

The question of severing diplomatic relations with the United States is not under consideration by the Government. Ireland's relations with the United States are close and friendly and of considerable importance to this country. What is more, our diplomatic relations enable us to have useful exchanges with the Americans on many issues of interest to both countries, including issues on which our approach may differ.

The Government through our representatives at the United Nations in New York is in frequent contact with the representatives of Latin American countries including Latin American members of the Security Council who share many of our concerns about E1 Salvador. Because of their geographic situation and diplomatic representations these countries are well informed about the situation in E1 Salvador.

We are aware that efforts are currently being made to bring the parties in the E1 Salvador conflict together for negotiations. I can assure the House that Ireland strongly supports any moves to promote a negotiated solution to this crisis.

My Department has been in touch with Irish missionaries in E1 Salvador through intermediaries. I do not believe that it would be appropriate, in view of prevailing circumstances in E1 Salvador, to disclose details of the content of the exchanges which have taken place.

Would the Minister not agree that the only Government supplying arms to the regime in E1 Salvador is the United States Government?

I understand that the United States Government have sent a limited number of military advisers to one of the sides in E1 Salvador. Of course, it does appear that arms are being supplied to another of the contestants from other sources.

The Minister might care to define what he means by "one of the sides". Would he not agree that as of now Ireland has voted for a resolution condemning the official supply of arms by Governments to E1 Salvador and the only country which is doing that is the United States?

I am not satisfied that the United States is the only country which is doing that.

On what basis is the Minister not satisfied? What is the evidence of the supply by any other country of arms to E1 Salvador?

There appears to be a considerable quantity of arms there which I am quite sure did not arrive indigenously within the country.

Would the Minister indicate what evidence of that has been produced and from what source? Would he not agreed that the only country to do this has been the United States? Does the Minister believe the United States allegations that arms are being supplied from other countries?

There are, unfortunately, substantial quantities of arms in E1 Salvador.

The Minister is not answering the question.

It is quite clear that they must have come in from outside. It is also quite clear that by no means all are coming from the United States.

The Minister mentioned contacts with Irish missionaries in E1 Salvador. Is that for the purpose of getting information about the internal situation there or is it to assure themselves of the safety of these missionaries?

I have not details of the contacts, but I imagine this is being done for both purposes.

I did not catch what the Minister said. Am I correct in thinking that the Minister mentioned its not being advisable to release further details?

Yes.

Does that mean that the Minister will have a report on the Government's attitude on E1 Salvador?

No, it does not. I was talking there about the nature of the contacts through intermediaries with the missionaries. I did not want to go into any greater details.

Yes, I am sorry.

In view of the Minister's reference to the supply of arms to one side, does the Irish Government regard the present ruling junta as not having legitimacy?

The view of the Government is that the situation in E1 Salvador is most unfortunate and that the sooner that situation is brought to an end and the fighting which has been going on in E1 Salvador for quite some time ceases, the better. The sooner democratic elections can be held in that country and a Government can be elected democratically there, the better.

Finally, do the Irish Government share the view of the United States Government regarding the legitimacy of the present ruling junta?

I understand that the United States Government are anxious to have normal elections held, or see them held in E1 Salvador, at the earliest possible time. We would agree with that view.

The Government support that view.

The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper. I have granted permission to Deputy Harte to ask a Private Notice Question.