asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in the light of the failure of all other methods of persuading the IRFU from expressing their implicit support for the unhumane system of apartheid in South Africa, he will propose that passports of intending travellers to South Africa for the purpose of the tour be withdrawn in respect of this specific instance only.

As I indicated to the Deputy in the reply which I gave to a question from him on this issue on 10 December, the Government do not intend to interfere with the right of Irish citizens to travel abroad on Irish Passports.

The Government are however, deeply disappointed at the decision of the Irish Rugby Football Union to proceed with the tour, despite the many appeals to them to reconsider the matter. In a letter which I sent to the President of the IRFU on 30 March, I stated that the Government believe that a decision not to proceed with the tour would be in the best interests of sport, of Ireland's international reputation, and of Ireland's commitment to the cause of justice in South Africa. The action that the Government have taken to date with regard to the tour was set out by me on 25 March in the Dáil debate on this issue.