andMr. MacSharry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the numerical strength of the staff in respect of the proposed Embassy of the USSR in Dublin.
70.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - USSR Dublin Embassy.
69.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the staff proposed for the Russian Embassy in Dublin.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 70 together.
There is a firm understanding with the Soviet authorities that there will be a limit on the total number of their nationals in the Embassy in Dublin. Because of the confidential nature of this understanding it would be a breach of normal diplomatic usage to give details.
As the Soviet authorities have not yet informed us of the numbers they propose to have in their Embassy here, I am not in a position to give the information sought by the Deputies.
When the Minister is in a position to state the number of people who will be here, will he give a breakdown of members of the ordinary staff and the KGB who will accompany them? Further, in view of the happenings in this country this week and the fact that some of our colleagues had to be given police protection, does the Minister seriously consider going ahead with the establishment of the Soviet Embassy here knowing it will put much more work on our overworked police force? Even great powers have considerable trouble in trying to control people in this Embassy.
The Deputy is making an argument. He should not make such a reflection on the embassy staff of a foreign power.
I mentioned the foreign power in the question. It is in print there.
The Deputy should not reflect on a foreign power in this way.
That is a new ruling.
It is a tradition of this House.
Will the Minister come back to reality and drop this proposal now?
The decision taken by the previous Government two years ago is being implemented and an agrément has been received for the proposed nominee as Irish Ambassador in Moscow.
I am calling Question No. 71.