With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 26 together.
The application having been accepted, the European Commission of Human Rights has now, under Article 28 of the Human Rights Convention, to establish the facts of the case and to put itself at the disposal of the parties with a view to securing a friendly settlement of the matter on the basis of respect for human rights as defined in the Convention. It has invited the Government to submit their written observations on the merits of the complaints and will later invite the British Government to do likewise. It is not anticipated that the Commission will undertake any steps towards seeking a settlement until these observations have been received. The Government will, of course, give due consideration to any proposals the Commission may make at that stage. The Government, therefore, do not at the moment envisage withdrawing the complaints.
27.