In the course of his reply the Taoiseach said the Government have been maintaining contact with the ANC and I should like to know at what level that contact is taking place and if any agreement or arrangements have been entered into with the ANC. For example, has Oliver Tambo, the head of the ANC been in contact with the Taoiseach's office? Has the Taoiseach responded to him? At what level is the contact?

The simplest answer I can give to the Deputy is that contact is at all levels that offer, and would appear to be beneficial at any stage.

Have any arrangements been made? What in the Taoiseach's view has been beneficial in this from the Irish point of view and have there been commitments to the ANC? What is deemed beneficial and to whom?

By and large any visitor of importance or significance to this country has been met by somebody at Government level. I have met some people. It is something about which you cannot be too specific. We follow the practice of our EC partners and indeed the United Nations in regard to the ANC. We award them special importance and we maintain contact to the extent that this is possible and necessary.