Mr. Colin Wrafter:

I would be happy to write to the Senator on this issue. For now, suffice to say that some of the countries I mentioned earlier in another context as being unhelpful would have been equally unhelpful in this particular context.

Fortunately, I do not have to comment in any way on the Commonwealth issue other than to say that I happened to be in Canada at the time of the announcement by that country's Prime Minister. There was a great deal of public support for his action.

Equally, I do not have to comment on the question of the establishment of an Oireachtas sub-committee on human rights. The only point I will make is that we are always ready to meet, individually or collectively, with members of the committee. I take this opportunity to thank the committee for its support in our efforts to secure election to the Human Rights Council.