Have the Government considered withdrawing from the "no visa" agreement with South Africa in view of the stronger hand it would give to the Irish Government to control visits of various South African diplomats to Ireland? This applies also to sporting organisations of one kind or another. Is the Minister aware that we are likely to have a visit this weekend from the South African Ambassador in London? Have the Department been informed or consulted about this visit? What would the Department's attitude be to such a visit?

I am not aware of such a proposed visit. We would not necessarily be informed because the South African Ambassador in London is not accredited to this country. There is free movement of travel between here and Great Britain and therefore he would be free to step on a boat and come here without informing anybody. The imposition of a visa has been considered, particularly in the light of what occurred when the workers in Dunne's Stores went there. On balance, we decided we should not do it. A no visa requirement does not necessarily mean that people from one country cannot go to another country. We do not allow South African sporting organisations to come here even though there is no visa requirement. We decided that if a visa were required by South African citizens coming to Ireland, undoubtedly the South African Government would reciprocate and this would not be of benefit to the many people who go to South Africa seeking information and to meet various groups of people there. Missionaries have to go through South Africa to get to Lesotho where we have a big aid programme.