asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will contribute to the opening of a United Nations Information Office in Dublin which could be used by the general public and parliamentarians in order to be briefed on matters concerned with world hunger, injustice and peace.

The establishment, staffing and financing of a United Nations Information Office is a matter for the United Nations itself. Ireland is serviced by the official UN Information Centre in London. Anyone may contact the centre for information on the UN system and its activities. In addition, the Stationery Office act as an agent in Ireland for UN publications which may be purchased through its Sales Office in Molesworth Street. Members of the public may consult UN catalogues and order any available UN publication through this source.

I am aware that proposals have been made from time to time concerning the opening of a UN Information Office on an unofficial basis in Ireland. While I support activities which will make the aims and the work of the UN more widely known in this country, I am unable because of present budget constraints to give an undertaking to contribute financially to such a venture.

Given the very poor availability of information for parliamentarians and the public generally, and given the fact that we have a role to play as a Parliament and as a nation, would the Minister not agree that some facilities for consultation and research should be available? Since the Irish section of the UN are offering to provide them with some limited financial commitment from the Government, does the Minister feel we should try to meet that requirement?

I should like to see the work of the United Nations becoming more widely known and debated not only in Dublin but also throughout the country. That is a very desirable aim, but at the moment it is not possible for the Government to assist financially in the establishment of such a research centre.