asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline any proposed developments in relations between Ireland and the Soviet Union, in the light of recent discussions with the Soviet Foreign Minister and other members of the Soviet delegation during the recent visit of President Gorbachev; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

During the visit of President Gorbachev, it was decided that a group of Ministers led by the Tánaiste will visit the Soviet Union to explore in detail the possibilities for further trade and co-operation. Preparations for the visit are at present under way, and it is expected that it will take place later this year.

May I ask the Taoiseach if it is proposed to extend relationships in any direction other than in the trade direction? Can the Taoiseach outline anything in the cultural area?

Yes, what has happened is that we were on course for a cultural agreement. The Tánaiste was to travel to sign that cultural agreement around September or October. Following the visit of the President the other matter came up and it was decided that we should send a delegation of Ministers to pursue economic matters and issues. That was at the invitation of the Soviet President. We decided then that the best thing to do would be to combine the two: that the Tánaiste would lead the economic delegation—this is the plan at the moment to see if we can do the whole operation together—sign the cultural agreement and carry out the economic co-operation discussions.