asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress that has been made in the last six months in overcoming the difficulties which have occurred in negotiations between the legal representatives of the owner of the Sharelga and the British Authorities as referred to in Parliamentary Question No. 238 of 26 October 1983.

The parties in this case have kept my Department informed of the state of negotiations. As the Deputy will be aware from previous statements, including the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 238 of 26 October last, I have repeatedly expressed the Government's desire for a satisfactory and speedy settlement.

The negotiations concerning the compensation claim are a private matter between the parties concerned. Moreover, as the Deputy will no doubt be aware from public statements made by the Sharelga owner, he has initiated proceedings in the British Courts.