asked the Taoiseach whether, during the course of his recent visit to the United Nations Organisation, he had any talks with a view to strengthening Ireland's participation in moves to favour nuclear disarmament.

2.

asked the Taoiseach the official engagements which he fulfilled during the course of his recent visit to the United States, apart from his attendance at the United Nations General Assembly.

3.

asked the Taoiseach whether, during the course of his recent visit to the United States, he had any contacts with the US administration or with legislators with a view to encouraging the passage of legislation in favour of non-documented Irish immigrants.

4.

asked the Taoiseach if he availed of the opportunity presented by his visit to the United States to impress on the members of Congress our concern to see the new immigration laws enacted as soon as possible.

5.

asked the Taoiseach if, during his visit to the United States, he underlined to the various groups with whom he met the abhorrence of virtually all the people of Ireland for violence and our wish that nobody in the United States would give financial or any other form of support to organisations who use violence for political ends.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 5 inclusive, together.

The purpose of my visit to New York was to address the United Nations Third Special Session on Disarmament. The text of my address is available in the Library. In that address, I set out fully Ireland's position on disarmament and in particular on nuclear disarmament.

Apart from addressing the United Nations General Assembly, I had discussions during the visit, which lasted a little over a day, with the Secretary General of the United Nations on a range of world issues. The Secretary General expressed his gratitude for Ireland's continued support for UN peacekeeping efforts in Lebanon, Afghanistan and elsewhere. I also had bilateral meetings in New York with the Chairman of the Special Session, the Prime Minister of Finland and the Foreign Minister of China, the Foreign Minister of New Zealand and the Foreign Minister of Iran, during which we discussed matters of common interest to our countries. In the case of the Iranian Minister, I emphasised the Government's concern about Mr. Brian Keenan and he undertook to look into the matter and see if there was anything his Government could do.

I had a meeting with the US executives of the principal semi-State bodies and discussed with them their plans and their concerns.

I raised the situation of Irish emigrants in the United States during my visit in April and the Government's concern is well known there. The whole issue continues to be pursued energetically by the Government at political and diplomatic level with the Congress and Administration in Washington and elsewhere.

I and my Government are clear and unequivocal in condemning political violence and terrorism which I regard as the common enemy of all civilised Governments. This condemnation is articulated whenever the occasion requires.