asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make urgent representations to the Soviet Union regarding the serious condition of the Human Rights campaigner Andrei Sakharov and his wife who are on hunger strike and reportedly being force-fed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The Deputy's question was tabled in May last, when there were reports that Dr. Sakharov was on hunger strike. I have no detailed information about the present circumstances of Dr. Sakharov and his wife, since they appear to have been effectively isolated from the outside world.

Like Deputy Taylor, I am concerned about the predicament of Dr. Sakharov and his wife. In this context, the Deputy will be aware that the Foreign Minister of France, Mr. Claude Cheysson, acting of behalf of the ten member states of the European Community, addressed to Mr. Andrei Gromyko, Foreign Minister of the Soviet Union, a letter concerning the situation of Dr. Sakharov and his wife. The letter was delievered on 19 May. This démarche by the Ten was undertaken for humanitarian reasons and in the spirit of the Helsinki Final Act.

I continue to hope that following the approach made on behalf of the Ten the government of the Soviet Union will act in the spirit of the Helsinki Final Act and will ensure humane treatment for Dr. Sakharov and his wife.

Does the Minister agree that the very fact that there has been no information to hand about Andrei Sakharov and his wife over these past months is a matter of increasing concern? In the circumstances would the Minister agree to make his own representations to the ambassador of the Soviet Union in Dublin?

I think the Soviet authorities are fully aware of the concern of this Government and of all the governments of the Ten in regard to the position of Andrei Sakharov and his wife. I do not rule out the Deputy's suggestion and will keep it under consideration.

Is the position that no reply whatever, good, bad or indifferent, has been received from the Soviet Union to the representation made by the Ten? If there was a reply, could the Minister indicate to the House what it is?

I am not aware if there has been a reply. In the nature of the diplomatic procedure of the démarche it might not call for a formal reply as the Deputy has in mind.