asked the Minister for External Affairs whether the Government have been invited, by the United Nations, to send representatives to the World Conference on International Trade Organisation, due to begin on 21st November, in Havana, Cuba; and if he will state what countries, other than the members of the United Nations Organisation, have been invited to attend this conference.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - World Conference on International Trade Organisation.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. It is understood that the following nonmembers of the United Nations were also invited to the conference: Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Finland, Hungary, Italy, Pakistan, Portugal, Rumania, Switzerland, Transjordan and the Yemen. Since the invitations were issued, however, Pakistan and the Yemen have become members of the United Nations Organisation.
Can the Taoiseach say who is representing us at the conference?
There are a few officers from the Department of Industry and Commerce and one from Washington.
Can the Taoiseach tell us who they are?
Their names?
Yes.
Is it not sufficient to give their positions? They are the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Industry and Commerce, another officer of the same Department and the Commercial Secretary of the Legation at Washington.
There is no Ministerial representative amongst them?
No.
Or no diplomatic representative?
There is one of our representatives in Washington — the Commercial Secretary of the Legation in Washington.
He has no diplomatic status?
He is sufficiently close to be able to give any information required and to see that anything that affects our interests will be looked after.