Prelude
Dáil Eireann re-assembled in Session on Tuesday, January 25th, 1921. In the absence of the DEPUTY SPEAKER the Chair was taken by ART O'CONNOR (Kildare, South).
There were also present:
The PRESIDENT.
The MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS.
The MINISTER FOR FINANCE.
The MINISTER FOR DEFENCE.
The MINISTER FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
The ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
The ASSOCIATE MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
The ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR IRISH.
The DIRECTOR OF TRADE AND COMMERCE.
The SUBSTITUTE DIRECTOR OF PROPAGANDA.
The DIRECTOR OF FISHERIES.
P. BEASLEY (Kerry, East).
D. BUCKLEY (Kildare, North).
M.P. COLIVET (Limerick City).
LIAM DE ROISTE (Cork City).
SEAN HAYES (Cork, West).
J. MACDONAGH (Tipperary, North).
J. MACENTEE (Monaghan, South).
L. MELLOWES (Galway, East, and Meath, North).
R.J. MULCAHY (Clontarf, Dublin).
B. O'HIGGINS (Clare, West).
P. O'KEEFFE (Cork, North).
JOHN O'MAHONY (Fermanagh, South).
R.M. SWEETMAN (Wexford, North).
In opening the proceedings the ACTING SPEAKER stated that at the last meeting the Speaker ruled that the reports should be merely read, proposed and seconded and not discussed owing to the unavoidable absence of the President and the Ministers of Finance and Defence. The reports from the Ministers for Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs were read, when it was agreed that the meeting be adjourned till the President and the other two responsible Ministers could be present or send statements giving their views on the present situation. It was felt that discussion upon the general policy required in the country was much more important than the discussion of reports. He understood aresume of the proceedings at that meeting had been sent to the President. He then called on the President to make his statement.