ORAL QUESTIONS AND REPLIES.
Alderman T. KELLY (St. Stephen's Green), to the Acting-President: I should like to know why Mr. Fawsitt sent his report to Mr. Dowdall. Why did he not send it direct to the Acting-President?
Mr. J.N. DOLAN (Leitrim Co.), to the Acting-President: Was it not possible for Mr. Fawsitt to report in duplicate, sending one copy direct to the Acting-President and the other to Mr. Dowdall?
J. O'MAHONY (Fermanagh S.), to the Acting-President: Would the Acting-President inform us of the circumstances under which Mr. Fawsitt was sent out to America as Consul-General?
The ACTING-PRESIDENT: Mr. de Valera considered that Mr. Fawsitt was the most suitable man for the post, and he was anxious that he should be sent out at once.
Mr. Dowdall is a member of the Cork Industrial Development Association. This body met and decided to send out two representatives to enquire into the subject of Irish Trade with America, and appointed Mr. Dowdall and Mr. Fawsitt to go. Both made application for their passports. Mr. Dowdall was granted his, but Mr. Fawsitt was held up. The latter's passport was granted about two months later, but then there was no available berth in the vessels leaving. He was able at the last moment to purchase a berth from a man who had previously secured a passage. The Report was presumably sent to Mr. Dowdall to ensure safety of transmission.
SEOSAMH O DOCHARTAIGH (Donegal N.), to the Acting-President: Have any reports been received from the Consul at Buenos Aires?
The ACTING-PRESIDENT: No. The matter is being dealt with by the American. Consul-General and the North American Office is in communication with him.