Mr. David Cooney:

As for the situation in Scotland, we have a consulate there that reports regularly to the Department and the line responsibility at home is with the Anglo-Irish division. We are monitoring this issue closely. As for the European Union side, the Department does not have lead responsibility for European Union matters, as that now is handled in the Department of the Taoiseach but obviously, we take a keen interest in what is happening in respect of British membership of the European Union. Again, the Anglo-Irish division is keeping a close eye to that, as is the Europe division, which looks after more general European matters in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. As to whether we have contingencies, the issue of British membership in particular is discussed and considered across the whole Government apparatus, because were that to evolve, we believe it would have serious negative implications for Ireland. Consequently, that issue is discussed at the economic management committee and elsewhere across the board.