asked the Taoiseach if he will outline the topics he discussed with political leaders in the United States during his recent visit there; if any conclusions were reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

As the Deputy will be aware, I paid a short visit on St. Patrick's Day to Washington where I had useful meetings with President Reagan, Speaker Wright, Senator Kennedy, Secretary of State Shultz, members of the Friends of Ireland group in Congress and other US political leaders.

During these discussions, or in the US media and television, I encouraged US citizens to visit Ireland for their holidays this year. On investment, I emphasised that Ireland offers American industry the most profitable location in Europe and I extended to US business an invitation to participate in our programme of economic recovery, particularly in growth sectors such as financial services, computer software, information technology, biotechnology, chemicals and health care.

I expressed special concern about the status of the many thousands of young Irish immigrants in the US as part of this Government's initiative to secure an improvement in their situation.

In relation to Northern Ireland, I outlined my Government's policy and expressed my thanks to President Reagan and other US political leaders for their support and encouragement for the Anglo-Irish Agreement and for the International Fund for Ireland.

I regard my visit to the US as having been a success and I intend to complement this with the Friends of Ireland who intend to visit Ireland later this year and also by further and more extensive contacts both here and in America to cement the close relationship between this country and the United States.