Will the Minister now reconsider the possibility of establishing diplomatic relations with Nicaragua? This is a question which has been raised in the House quite a number of times in recent years and we have been told that it is under consideration. Will the Minister now indicate whether there is active consideration of that possibility as I know that the Nicaraguan Government, through their Foreign Minister who visited here last year, requested such a development? When may we expect a decision in regard to this matter?

The question will continue to be considered but we have to cut our cloth according to our measure. In a difficult financial period we give priority to such representation in countries with large Irish communities or where we consider it important for trade or commercial considerations. That is the basis on which we appoint honorary consuls and on which we open diplomatic representation. For the time being, it will have to continue to be on the basis of those two fundamental criteria.