Arising from the Taoiseach's reply, I was surprised to hear no reference to the Minister's meeting with Mr. Arafat and the PLO. Perhaps I am wrong, but I do not remember hearing any reference to the meeting with Mr. Arafat.

Yes, it was mentioned.

Could the Taoiseach tell me the Government's view on the Baker proposals for peace in the Middle East and whether it is possible that they will be accepted by the Israeli Government, and if they are so accepted, whether the conditions under which they will be accepted will be acceptable to the Palestinian or their representatives?

I have already said in my reply that we commend the considerable efforts by the US Secretary of State Baker to get the two sides together. I cannot say what the prospects are, but I can assure the Deputy and the House that we, as part of the Troika and subsequently having the Chair of the Foreign Ministers Council, will do everything possible to have the proposals accepted.

I appreciate that the Taoiseach would not be as familiar as the Minister for Foreign Affairs——

I am anxious to dispose of the other questions also.

Three of them are in my name——

There is one in the name of Deputy Michael Higgins, which I am anxious to deal with.

I understand that after the meeting of the Troika, the French Foreign Minister said that as far as he could ascertain the Baker proposals were acceptable to the Israeli Government. I want to know whether that is the view of the Irish Government?

Yes.

The Minister, Deputy Collins, was present at the meeting.

Is the Deputy asking whether the proposals are acceptable to the Israeli Government?

That is according to the French Foreign Minister.

That statement was made on behalf of the Troika, which includes our Minister.