asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the deteriorating situation in Chile and the increasing number of deaths at the hands of the military regime, the Government will consider the introduction of selective trade sanctions.

The Government are concerned at the continuing denial of democratic freedoms to the Chilean people, and at the abuses of human rights which occur in that country. We regularly discuss the situation in Chile with out nine partners in the framework of European Political Co-operation, and have joined with them in public expressions of concern at that situation and at particular instances of government repression. We have also supported consistently at the United Nations resolutions concerning human rights in Chile. The Deputy will understand that trade sanctions, if they are to be effective, require to be applied in a concerted way by the international community. The application of such sanctions by one country, particularly a small country like Ireland, on its own would have no effect on those whom it was desired to influence. I see no evidence, just at present, that the international community is prepared to impose trade sanctions on Chile.

As the Minister has said, the question of adopting trade sanctions on our own would have very little effect on the situation in Chile. However, can he indicate that this country is raising the matter of trade sanctions with our EEC partners? If we have not done so already, will the Minister state he will raise the matter with our EEC partners?

I can tell the Deputy that the possibility of such sanctions has been raised in discussions among the Ten but a decision to impose them has not been taken. Such sanctions to be effective would require a wider international consensus than just from the Ten. On the matter of whether we would join in such a consensus if it emerged, that would be a hypothetical situation but I would find it difficult to imagine we would not.

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