42 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland was represented at the meeting of the Western European Union in Rome on 16 July 1992; the purpose of the meeting; if the meeting discussed Ireland's relationship with the Western European Union; if the Government has received from the Western European Union any definition or explanation of the term observer status; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

A meeting of the Western European Union with the representatives of prospective members, associate members and observers took place in Rome, under Italian chairmanship, on 16 July. Ireland was represented by officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs. The purpose of this meeting was to initiate discussions between the Western European Union and prospective members, associate members and observers, following the extension of invitations to enter such discussions by the German Foreign Minister, on behalf of the Western European Union, on 30 June.