asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will state whether it is the policy of the Saorstát Government to regard the Union of Soviet Socialist Federated Republics of Russia as a friendly State.
CEISTEANNA.—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - RELATIONS WITH SOVIET REPUBLICS.
While the Saorstát Government have no reason to think that any State has adopted an unfriendly attitude towards the Saorstát, it is not possible for them to judge whether or not a particular State is positively friendly until definite relations have been established with that State.
Is the Minister prepared to establish definite trade or diplomatic relations with those States?
We are always prepared.
Is the Minister prepared to establish definite diplomatic or trade relations with these States?
I answered that question the last time it was put. If the Deputy will compare the two questions he will get his information from both of them.
The Minister did not answer it.
He would not be permitted.