asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has received representations from the Irish Anti-Apartheid Movement concerning the reported vist to the State by the Ambassador of the South African regime to Britain, earlier in April; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

558.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Ambassador of the South African regime had informed him or his Department about his visit to the State; and whether arrangements were made to provide him with any assistance.

559.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of a statement made by the South African Ambassador to Britain that he spent six days holidays in this State before his recent visit to Northern Ireland; if he was consulted before the Ambassador's visit here; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 557, 558 and 559 together.

I have seen press reports on the recent visit by the South African Ambassador to Britain, Dr. Dennis Worrall, to Northern Ireland, in the course of which he was reported as having revealed that he spent six days in this State before visiting Northern Ireland. I have also received representations from the Irish Anti-Apartheid Movement in the matter and I shall be replying to them.

My Department were not informed of Dr. Worrall's visit to this State either before or after it took place. There was no requirement for him to seek permission to enter Ireland nor to inform my Department in connection with a private visit during which he would have enjoyed no diplomatic status whatever.