asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether there have been any discussions with the British Government to set up a parliamentary tier.

At their meeting on 6 November 1981 the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister agreed that it would be for the Irish and British Parliaments to consider at an appropriate time whether there should be an Anglo-Irish body at parliamentary level. The question of a parliamentary tier, therefore, remains for decision.

As the Deputy will be aware, the four main constitutional nationalist parties in the New Ireland Forum Report have examined in detail possible structures that would lead to the creation of peace and stability in this island. That report in its entirety has been presented to the British Government and a substantive response from them is now awaited. Until such a response is received it is not my intention to comment on any informal discussions which have taken place between the two Governments on the report.

Would the Minister say whether the Government have made it very clear to the British authorities that if a parliamentary tier is to serve any useful purpose then it must be more than a mere parliamentary social club?

Any indication to the British Government along the lines suggested by the Deputy would be a matter for much later. It would not be now that I would be making that suggestion. It would be after we have their response to the New Ireland Forum Report.