Is the Minister aware of several efforts at the Council of Europe to involve Ireland in discussions on defence and NATO? Would he like to comment on those attempts?

That seems to be a separate question.

I am aware of them.

Does the Minister approve of these attempts at the Council of Europe?

It is not a question of my approving or not approving. It is the reaction to the attempts that is important, not what other people do.

I must pursue this.

You will pursue it within limits. There have been quite a few suplementaries on this.

The Minister has clearly indicated that he does not approve of attempts at the Council of Europe——

I did not say that. I said it is not a matter for me to say what members of the Council of Europe do. What is important is our reaction to those attempts.

Could I ask the Minister——

I am moving on to Ceist 2.