asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government have expressed any view, in recent weeks, on the inappropriateness of further aid by the United States to the Contra mercenaries fighting near the Nicaraguan border; and the proposals, if any, he has to develop friendly relations with Nicaragua.

On 24 March 1987, in reply to a question from Deputy De Rossa, I outlined the Government's policy, and that of our partners in the Twelve, with regard to outside interference in Nicaragua and other Central American countries.

We believe that there should be no extraneous interference of any kind in the area. Nicaragua's problems can be resolved not by military means but only in the context of a broadly-based political agreement emanating from the region itself, such as has been proposed by the Contadora Group or, recently, by President Arias of Costa Rica.

The Irish and Nicaraguan Governments maintain effective contacts which can be developed as necessary. This can be, and is, done without the establishment of formal diplomatic relations.