Vol. S2 No. 2
The next matter on the Orders of the Day is:
"Abhar Rúin do réir molta Urraidhe na Dála. (Motion in accordance with the wishes of the Trustees of Dáil Eireann):
"That in view of the changed circumstances in Ireland and of the practicability of having an account in the name of the Trustees of Dáil Eireann, that such an account be opened in the names of the three Trustees."
I formally move that, a Chinn Chomhairle. This is an agreed matter between the Trustees and merely needs the formality of moving it.
I would like to second that. As Trustees we wish to have our work done more regularly than it was possible in the past. There are, of course, obvious dangers attaching to it. As a matter of fact, in accordance with the terms of our Trusteeship we might have made that arrangement ourselves. The only reason for bringing it before the Dáil is—there is a certain amount of danger attached to the course —under the present circumstances it is advisable to prevent misunderstandings and things of that kind. It is also recommended in the auditor's report.
Lest there should be a misunderstanding about one remark of the Deputy for Clare, may I be permitted to say that things were done regularly in the past. They may not have been done as formally as they are now owing to change of circumstances. I support this motion.
Yes; I meant formally.
I would like to give my chief reason for supporting it. It is that as long as the accounts are in various names they will really be at the command rather of individuals who are responsible for these monies than at the command of the Dáil. In the past, when how to safeguard our monies was a very serious matter, this device had to be resorted to. We had to get names of stable and unstable people. Sometimes the more unstable they were the better. It will be seen there might be great danger that a person, simply because the money was in his or her name, would consider whether that money could be realised. That is the principal safeguard in this matter. Of course, we understand that from every point of view it is perfectly safe now in any Bank in the names of the Trustees owing to the circumstances—to put it briefly, owing to the signing of the Treaty— that there is no longer the danger of Banks having their offices raided and seized and closed up because they are doing business with an illegal body. The other reason that makes me in favour of the motion is, it may be said that the Trustees have a majority on the other side, but I for one do not anticipate any difficulty owing to that majority.
What I meant a while ago was formally, not regularly— such as would be done under normal conditions. I am not so undisturbed about the funds as the Minister for Finance. It is not impossible that the electorate may still vote to maintain the Republic, in which event these funds must not be in a position to be seized by the enemy forces.
What information I have is at your disposal.
The motion was then put by the Acting Speaker and carried unanimously.
