asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government propose to establish diplomatic relations with the Lebanon.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Relations with the Lebanon.
21.
The Government have decided to exchange diplomatic representatives with the Lebanon. Discussions are proceeding at official level about the practical arrangements to bring this about.
Could the Minister give us some indication of the criteria which influence the Government in reaching a decision to open diplomatic relations with the Lebanon as distinct from other Arab countries for instance Egypt, Algeria or others? What motivated the Government's mind?
I think it would be improper for me to answer the question specifically in relation to one country. There are diplomatic courtesies here and I do not think one should answer in detail about a particular country. There is no particular problem in regard to the Lebanon but I think the general practice is not to answer specifically in regard to one country. The Government's criteria here are the political, economic and financial interests of the country.
Is the Minister aware that the public would like to know, basically, the criteria which the Government operate on in these cases, whether or not it is for political reasons or economic reasons and if it is for economic reasons why not some of the oil-producing States which may be of greater significance? Does the Minister not accept that the House should know something of the criteria which the Government apply in this matter?
I have indicated the criteria. The difficulty arises when one comes to apply them because one has to give reasons for distinguishing one country from another which may be complimentary to one and not to the other. It is better not to go into detail on particular countries.
Question No. 22.
May I ask a final supplementary?
Sorry, Deputy. We are making little or no progress in these matters today. One very quick supplementary.
The Minister said it may be financial reasons which would lead to the creation of diplomatic relations with a country. Is it true that the Irish Government are at the moment negotiating a loan with the Lebanon?
This is a separate question altogether.