STATEMENT OF DEPUTY SPEAKER.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER in an opening statement said he was sorry to say that the President found it necessary to alter his plans at the last moment, and he had been informed just then that the President could not be present. The President arrived at that decision in consultation with the Ministers of Finance and Defence. They had reason to fear it would be dangerous to come here, that certain Members of the Dáil would be well known and there was serious danger of their being followed and tracked.
The President would make arrangements to see any of the Members whom he had not already met, and when they had read the reports which had been circulated they could discuss with him any points in which they were particularly interested. The Secretary would arrange for any of them wishing to see the President this evening or tomorrow. They had the majority of the available Members present. He suggested that the reports should be read, but before doing this he would ask the Secretary to the Ministry, who was in close touch with the President, to convey to the meeting the message he had received from the President.
The SECRETARY stated he got word late the previous night that the President would not be able to be present and that he did not think it advisable to hold the meeting. It was a verbal message and he was directed to take a list of the Members present who had not yet seen the President and to make arrangements for each one to interview him.
The CHAIRMAN remarked that he thought the meeting was fixed for that day because it happened to be the anniversary of the first meeting of the Dáil two years ago. It was for the meeting to decide whether the reports were to be read or what they thought was the best thing to do. He was at their disposal. As no one offered any suggestions he asked that the reports be read.
LIAM DE ROISTE (Cork City) said there was no use in reading these reports.