asked the Minister for Communications the commodities which are shipped direct to the port of Dublin from South Africa.

I have been informed by the Dublin Port and Docks Board that the only direct shipments to the Port of Dublin from South Africa are shipments of coal.

Has the Minister any plans to introduce sanctions involving shipments of coal or anthracite directly from South Africa and will the Minister outline the Government's position regarding sanctions on direct trade with South Africa?

The Deputy will appreciate that I am the Minister for Transport and not the Minister for Trade or Foreign Affairs. The question just raised would be more appropriate to those two Ministers.

Question No. 6.

I asked the Minister about the Government's position with regard to introducing sanctions on trade with South Africa. The Minister is in the Government. Could he enlighten the House on the Government's position with regard to sanctions on trade with South Africa?

There is collective responsibility, but the Minister may not be the Minister responsible to this House in this matter.

I refer the Deputy to replies given in this House by the Minister for Foreign Affairs on 23 October last setting out the Government's position in relation to South Africa generally. While I cannot answer the question, I am totally in sympathy with the implicit direction of the question.