asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government will agree to the establishment of diplomatic relations with Nicaragua; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

It would be inappropriate and contrary to international practice to speculate publicly on the question of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ireland and any other country with which we do not already have diplomatic relations as this would be a matter for discussion between the Irish Government and any other government concerned. The establishment of diplomatic relations with other countries is a matter which is kept under continuous review in the light of our international interests and availability of the necessary resources.

Could the Minister indicate whether the authorities in Nicaragua have requested the establishment of diplomatic relations? In view of the statement of the Minister for Foreign Affairs at the UN that the political and economic dialogue would be intensified between the Ten and the Central American countries, would the establishment of diplomatic relations not be useful to enable such intensified political contacts to take place?

As I indicated in my reply, it would be inappropriate and not in accordance with practice to give details of any requests or discussions that might have taken place concerning the establishment of diplomatic relations, and I propose to follow custom in that regard. The point made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs is that the Ten in their corporate capacity will be dealing with Central American affairs and they had a meeting with the Contadora Group. In that regard I think this country's views would be best expressed through its membership of the Ten.

: Does the Minister not consider that, in view of the fact that Nicaragua is a new and young state which has only recently shaken off a 50-year dictatorship, it would be of value in world political terms for Ireland to establish diplomatic relations with Nicaragua on the basis of the assistance it could provide to the people there to resist interference?

The Chair feels that that is repetition of a question already answered by the Minister.

He did not indicate whether he could consider it worth while to establish diplomatic relations.

The Chair understands that the Minister answered it by saying that it would not be appropriate to answer.

I can understand that it might not be appropriate to indicate what kind of negotiations are in progress, but surely it is not inappropriate to indicate that this Government would be interested in establishing diplomatic relations with Nicaragua.

I think the Irish voice and influence in the political situation in Central America could be best effected through this membership of the Ten. That is the way we act and propose to continue to act in relation to Nicaragua.

Ceist 10.

I appreciate that there is much to be gained by acting within the Ten in certain international arenas, but have we not also a foreign policy which we pursue independently, as an independent State?

Of course we have, but we are not a super-power in a position to locate embassies and legations in every country in the world where there is a political need to be dealt with and where we could be of assistance. Because of that limitation, recognition of our size, our voice is best made known through the Ten.

We are not a super-power and no one is suggesting that we should act——

We are indulging in debate now, in argument.

We are not into debate at all. We have non-residential diplomatic relations with some countries. The Minister in relation to a previous question indicated that we have non-residential diplomatic relations with Libya. is there any reason why a similar arrangement could not be made with Nicaragua?

As I indicated in reply to Deputy Collins, one reason why we have non-residential relations with Libya is the very high volume of trade and it is in the interests of both countries that there would be diplomatic relationship, albeit non-residential, because of the high volume of trade. No such consideration pertains in regard to Nicaragua in the political——

I will not allow continued argument on this question or any question. Ceist 10.

It is important——

It may be, but it is not suitable to conduct questions by way of argument and suggestion.

I am not arguing. The Minister has now indicated that apparently the only basis for establishing diplomatic relations with any country is our trade with any country or what we can make out of any country.

That is argumentative.

In fairness, I did not indicate that. I indicated that it is one very strong reason for establishing them and that reason is absent in the case of Nicaragua. Our only interest there would be political. It is best effected through the Ten.