asked the Taoiseach the plans, if any, he has to visit the US; and if he will take an initiative to speak with President Bush on the US involvement in Central American politics.

20.

asked the Taoiseach if he will use his term of office as President of the EC to bring about a positive Community foreign policy in relation to Central America.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 20 together.

Details of any official visit I might make to the United States will, in accordance with the normal practice, be announced close to the time of such a visit. The Foreign Ministers of the Twelve met recently in Brussels and expressed the Community's deep concern at the deterioration of the situation in Central America, condemning in particular the fresh upsurge of violence in El Salvador which has brought in its wake the massacre of a great number of civilians.

In line with the position which they have consistently maintained, the Ministers considered that the initiative to relaunch the peace process should come from the countries in the region themselves with the support of the international community. They made an urgent appeal to the parties involved in conflicts in the area to return to the path of a negotiated solution which would, in the first place, allow an end to hostilities.

Since 1984 Foreign Ministers of the EC have met annually with their Central American counterparts to discuss the situation in the region. The next such meeting will take place in Dublin during the Irish Presidency. We and our partners in the Twleve consider that the conflict in Central America can best be resolved in the context of the peace process known as the Esquipulas process which was signed in Guatemala in August 1987.

Would the Taoiseach agree that United States policy on Central America is badly misguided to say the least? Would he tell us if he has taken any steps personally to inform the United States Government that we feel disgusted at the manner in which United States-funded army death squads have indulged in an orgy of violence and death against people who are the potential leaders of society in El Salvador? Surely, as a country which claims great authority in the area of foreign policy, we should at least make some effort to give our views on this matter?

I think the views of the Irish people on these issues are very widely known and have been expressed from time to time in different ways and by different means. I think we can be most effective in this type of situation by acting through and in agreement with the Twelve. The Twelve have much more power and influence when they act together on issues of this kind.

Unfortunately, the Taoiseach's original response reflects the policy of the United States, and that we do not have a major role. May I ask the Taoiseach if, during his term as President of the European Community, he will put forward any Irish relics to the Twelve in relation to Central America or are we just going without a thought in our heads? Have we any policy in relation to technical and other developments in Central America that would uplift the people there?

The Deputy has no justification for making a suggestion of that kind. He knows full well that we are very active in the formulation of Community policy in these areas. We have a particularly close knowledge of the position in these Central American countries and, therefore, our contribution to the formulation of Community policy and Community actions is very valuable, and is recognised as such by our partners. As I said in my reply, there will be a meeting of the Foreign Ministers on Central American issues during the Presidency, and there again we will have an opportunity of playing our part. As I have said to the Deputy, I think we can be most effective through the Community and through the Twelve. We can also, of course, take action through the United Nations, which we do. We are far from being silent in these international fora on these issues.