asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will consider the banning of the export of computer and high technology equipment which may be used in administering the apartheid system; if the Government will formally recognise the African National Congress as the legitimate representative of the South African people; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

As to the first part of the question, I would refer the Deputy to the reply given by my colleague, the Minister for Industry and Commerce, on 2 March last. My colleague told the Dáil on that occasion that he did not intend to introduce a unilateral ban on the export of computers to South Africa. He explained that such exports are allowed only under licence issued by him; that such licences are issued for only three months at a time, in order to allow continuous monitoring; and that, for the issue of a licence he requires, in accordance with the spirit of the relevant mandatory resolution of the UN Security Council, an undertaking from the consignee that the goods will not be used for military or police purposes.

As to the second part of the question, it is Ireland's practice to accord formal recognition only to States. However, the Government acknowledge the special status which the United Nations and the Organisation of African Unity have accorded to both the African National Congress and the Pan Africanist Congress. We have called, together with our EC partners, for the ban on these and other organisations to be lifted, and we have maintained contact with ANC representatives in southern Africa.

I should like to commend the Government, and the previous Government, on their attitude to sanctions against the South African apartheid régime. The purpose of my question is to press the Government to further that policy. I should like to ask the Taoiseach if he is satisfied that such an undertaking from the South African Government can be accepted. Is the Taoiseach satisfied that computer and high technology equipment exported is not used in furtherance of the apartheid system for which computerisation is very important?

It is difficult to be totally satisfied but what we do, as I mentioned, is issue the licence for three months, monitor the situation as best we can and seek whatever guarantees and undertakings are necessary in the case of each licence.