asked the Minister for External Affairs if the Government have considered the possibility of establishing a diplomatic mission in Moscow; if not, if he considers that, in view of the increase in trade with Eastern European countries, Ireland should have diplomatic relations with Soviet Russia or Poland.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Diplomatic Relations with Russia and Poland.
4.
Our diplomatic representation abroad is reviewed from time to time in the light of the relevant considerations, including trade prospects. The volume of our exports to either of the countries referred to does not at present provide sufficient commercial justification for the expense involved in formal diplomatic representation. I should mention that in recent years bodies such as Córas Tráchtála and An Bord Bainne, as well as private business interests, have visited the USSR and other Eastern European countries with a view to increasing our exports. So far, the prospects for sustained growth in exports to any of these countries are not promising.