I would like to draw the attention of Deputies——
[ WRITTEN ANSWERS. ]
AN CEANN COMHAIRLE
Mr. DARRELL FIGGIS
Before we proceed to the Orders of the Day——
AN CEANN COMHAIRLE
I should not be interrupted, sir. I was about making an announcement. I would like to say that I want to draw the attention of the Deputies to Standing Order 21 with regard to questions. Any Teachta who does not desire an oral answer to his question may distinguish it by an asterisk, in which case the Minister to whom it is addressed will cause an answer to be provided in the Official Report of the Dáil. We may, owing to the adjournment to next Wednesday, have a large number of questions, and that is a thing that Deputies should bear in mind. My permission has been asked to allow a photograph of the Dáil to be taken next Wednesday, but I think it is a matter in which the consent of the Dáil should be obtained. I shall give my formal consent if there is no objection.
Professor MAGENNIS
What use is to be made of the photograph?
AN CEANN COMHAIRLE
It is, I understand, to be printed in an Irish periodical which has printed photographs of other Irish Parliaments. It is purely a matter for the Dáil itself.
Mr. THOMAS JOHNSON
Does that constitute a precedent for other journals, or is it going to be a monopoly of the particular journal that made the request first?
AN CEANN COMHAIRLE
That is a matter for the Dáil, but, in my opinion, it should be confined to one photograph at the beginning.
Mr. T. JOHNSON
My contention is that it should be made a condition that it should not be a copyright photograph, because I think this is a matter where we are asked to give a special privilege to a special publisher. I think if the privilege is to be given it should be given to the public rather than to the publisher, and, consequently, it should not be a copyright photograph.
AN CEANN COMHAIRLE
I agree if the Dáil agrees with the condition that the photograph shall not be a copyright photograph. If this condition is accepted it will be taken at 3 o'clock on Wednesday, and Deputies who desire to figure therein should be in their places at that time.
Mr. DARRELL FIGGIS
On a point of procedure, sir, I want to know in view of the statement made by the President yesterday that there may be some adjournment after the passing of the Constitution for a certain length of time before the other business of the Dáil be entered on, whether before that adjournment he will set aside a date for a statement to be made on the general military position, and any debate that may arise thereon.
AN CEANN COMHAIRLE
The question will probably arise when the adjournment is being taken. If the President desires to answer it now he will be within his rights.
I may answer it at once. There are people in this country who are suffering from a certain nervous prostration of one kind or another, of suppressed hysteria and various other ailments. When the Dáil adjourns we are asked what is going to happen, what is the position, and are we going to win, and so on. I have no doubt whatever of the ultimate result. I do not think it is a time that any attempt should be made to gratify that peculiar form of disorder that has crept into our lives, that is curiosity. I do not know you would be anything wiser by my answering these questions. If you have any suggestion as to how the Army is to do its work, I am satisfied that the Commander-in-Chief will take that into consideration. The military situation is well in hand. It has improved very much. All we want is to forget that there has been any interruption of the normal condition of our lives, and to get back to work, and to do things sensibly.