MINISTERIAL MOTIONS. - APPOINTMENT OF CONSULAR AND DIPLOMATIC AGENTS.
The ACTING-PRESIDENT moved:
"That the President be authorised to appoint Consuls and Diplomatic Agents to the following countries:— Russia, France, Spain, Italy, Austria, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, and that he be also empowered to appoint one Director in each of the following cities in the United States, namely:—Chicago, New Orleans, San Francisco, and Boston to organise and direct Irish Opinion at these centres. That the names of a number of persons suitable for these posts be supplied to the President by the Ministry and that the agents be selected by the President from amongst the persons so nominated."
The MINISTER FOR DEFENCE seconded the motion.
M.P. COLLIVET (Limerick City) asked why none of the new Republics were included in the resolution.
The ACTING-PRESIDENT in reply said that they might include such countries later on. The motion did not mean that they would confine their activities to the countries named. The President required 30 men for the posts and he specially mentioned the countries named in the motion.
The MINISTER FOR DEFENCE thought that it would be well to amend the motion to enable Consuls to be sent to places other than those mentioned.
M.P. COLLIVET (Limerick City) stated that he had in mind India and Egypt.
The ACTING-PRESIDENT suggested that the words "and other" be inserted in the motion after the word "following" in the third line.
The MINISTER FOR DEFENCE agreed.
The motion as amended was put and carried as follows:—
"That the President be authorised to appoint Consuls and Diplomatic agents to the following and other countries:—Russia, France, Spain, Italy, Austria, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, and that he be also empowered to appoint one Director in each of the following cities in the United States, namely: Chicago, New Orleans, San Francisco, and Boston, to organise and direct Irish Opinion at these centres. That the names of a number of persons suitable for these posts be supplied to the President by the Ministry and that the agents be selected by the President from amongst the persons so nominated."