asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress that was made at the meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe held in Strasbourg on 28 April 1983 in the humanitarian sector of the Helsinki Final Act.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Council of Europe Meeting.
5.
At their 72nd Session, on 28 April 1983 at Strasbourg, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe discussed, among other things, the Madrid Follow-up Meeting of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe, The Committee of Ministers were agreed in stressing the importance of reaching a successful conclusion of the Madrid meeting as soon as possible on the basis of a balanced and substantial document which would provide, among other things, for substantial progress in areas covered by the humanitarian sector of the Helsinki Final Act. These views were reflected in the communiqué of the Strasbourg meeting, a copy of which is to be found in the Dáil Library.
The Madrid Follow-up Meeting of the CSCE concluded on 9 September last. It is the view of the Government, and that of the Governments of the other member states of the European Community, that the Concluding Document of the Madrid Follow-up Meeting is both substantial and balanced. I have arranged to have copies of the Concluding Document placed in the Dáil Library.
6.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress that was made at the meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe held in Strasbourg on 28 April 1983 towards achieving a political settlement in Afghanistan.
In a general review of the state of East-West relations the Foreign Ministers of the Council of Europe discussed the situation in Afghanistan. The Ministers agreed to continue to focus international attention on the lack of progress towards a political settlement of the crisis in Afghanistan and to keep the situation under review.
7.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the functions military attachés in foreign embassies in Ireland fulfil; and if he is satisfied that the activities of these attachés is consistent with Ireland's policy of neutrality.
As I have indicated in my written reply yesterday to the Deputy's Question No. 253, two foreign embassies in Dublin have resident military attachés on their staffs. The attachés represent their countries in accordance with normal diplomatic practice, particularly with regard to maintaining liaison with the Irish Defence Forces and attendance at military ceremonial occasions as these arise.
In answer to the second part of the Deputy's question, I am satisfied that the activities of these attachés are consistent with the purpose of their presence here.
As the two countries which have military attachés attached to diplomatic staffs are both members of the NATO alliance, could the Minister indicate what kind of liaison is involved between Great Britain and the United States with the Irish Defence Forces?
I reject any implication that there is any significance in the fact that these two attachés are from countries which are in NATO. I understand that attachés from these countries were present in this country long before NATO came into being. There are numerous small ways in which they can be of assistance in maintaining liaison. Traditionally, members of the Defence Forces have gone on courses of training in different countries, including the two countries which have attachés here and the presence of the attachés has helped to simplify the making of arrangements for our personnel going on these courses. There is nothing sinister or significant in their presence.