asked the Minister for External Affairs if Ireland will accept the Chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe when it is next offered to this country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Council of Europe Committee.
5.
When we are next offered the Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, the question will be considered in the light of all the circumstances at the time.
Is the Minister aware that the country next in line for the post of Chairman of the Committee of Ministers is Greece and that it is unlikely in existing circumstances, notwithstanding the support given today by the Minister for External Affairs for the continuation of Greece in the Council of Europe, that Greece will accept this assignment, that the next country in line is Iceland and it is expected that Iceland also will not accept it? Can we have an assurance, in the light of those probabilities, that Ireland will accept the Chair this year?
I will pass on the Deputy's request to the Minister.