asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, following the recent visit of the Taoiseach to the United States, a new financial commitment to the International Fund set up under the Anglo-Irish Agreement is expected to be made for the next three years.

As the Deputy will be aware, the United States has contributed $120 million to the International Fund for Ireland over the three years to 1988. A further $10 million has been committed for 1989. The United States' budgetary allocations for 1990 have not yet been decided but I am confident that it will continue its generous support for the international fund.

It was my understanding — and I am open to correction on this — that at the time of the signing of the Anglo-Irish Agreement the US made a full commitment of $120 million. May I ask the Taoiseach if there is to be any roll-over commitment for the following three years, for the next phase of the Anglo-Irish Agreement so to speak, or is it now to be done on a year by year basis where the money appears to be much less?

I do not think it is fair to say that the money is much less but because it is a budgetary allocation in the United States naturally it has to be fought for year by year and we have to rely on our friends — fortunately we have plenty of them — over there to make sure that the original good intentions and praiseworthy efforts of the United States administration are continued. This is an ongoing situation.

Is the Taoiseach in a position to state whether he expects a similar level of funding from the United States for the next three years of the Agreement?

I could not say but naturally we will press for it.