asked the Minister for External Affairs if he is aware that copies of the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation between Ireland and the United States of America (1950) are out of print; and if he will have same reprinted having regard to the great importance of that Treaty to citizens of this State and the United States of America.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish-USA Treaty.
16.
I have arranged to have copies of this Treaty made available for the public.
Would the Minister indicate how many copies will be made available? Will copies be made available for the public to purchase at the Government Publications Sales Office and, if so, why were such copies not available in the Government Publications Sales Office for several months recently?
For 20 years only 83 copies were sold to the public. An equivalent number are being made available again which should supply us for the next 20 years.
Not necessarily.
17.
asked the Minister for External Affairs whether any amendments to the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation between Ireland and the United States of America (1950) are contemplated; and whether discussions have at any time taken place with the representatives of the United States of America in connection therewith with a view to amendments being made.
When the terms under which Ireland may enter the European Communities have become clear, it will be necessary to examine the terms of the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation with the United States of America with a view to determining whether any revision of it would be required. No discussions of the kind referred to in the question have taken place as yet.
Is the Minister aware that this will never be necessary?
The Deputy is on his hobby horse now.
It is not a question of my being on my hobby horse. I believe in reality. I do not believe in a miasma, as the Minister's Department does.
That is the party of reality over there.
It is supposed to be.