Vol. 8 No. 20
I move:—
That a sum not exceeding £6,075 be granted to complete the sum necessary to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1925, for a Grant in Aid of the Expenses of the League of Nations and for other Expenses in connection therewith.
I desire to know if any information is available as to the proposals of the Ministry regarding the coming conference to be held in September, and as to what policy the Government is going to adopt in matters of international importance. I notice in to-day's paper a statement made on behalf of the British Government to the effect that they had declined to agree to a certain policy that had been proposed at a previous conference, or by a committee appointed at a previous conference, and that in that refusal to agree to a treaty of mutual assistance they say that every one of the Dominions in the British Commonwealth had agreed, but that such a treaty was undesirable in respect of the Irish Free State. Now, that is an important exception. It is a very important matter, and I do not think we should pass it over with a mere statement in another place that the Irish Government had refused to endorse or agree to such a policy as had been recommended by an important International Committee. I am not saying whether I think the policy of the British Government in turning down such a proposal was right or wrong, but when it is stated on their behalf that of all the nations forming the British Commonwealth only the Irish Free State had disagreed with the decision of the British Government, then I think it is important that we should have a statement of the attitude of the Irish Government in such a matter, because it is of the very highest importance. It may be that we shall be told that no such decision has been come to, and that it is merely exceptional that the Irish Free State Government did not express itself. I want to have the position made clear on a matter of such very great importance.
In the absence of the Minister for External Affairs, I am not in a position to enter into this matter in any sort of elaborate detail. I am sorry I have to say that so near the end of the Session, but the first opportunity the Minister for External Affairs will give the fullest explanation arising out of the statements to which Deputy Johnson has alluded. I can safely say this much: that the alternative supposition that Deputy Johnson put forward that this is merely a case of non-action on the part of the Irish Free State is correct, that is to say, it is not a case of explicit disagreement on the part of the Irish Free State but merely a case of not active participation. I may state, as covering the general character of this fact, that the Irish Free State was not associated with the other members of the British Commonwealth of Nations in this particular matter.
I am glad of that information. I am glad that that fact has been elucidated, because that is a matter which should have been made clear. With regard to the intentions of the Ministry respecting this year's Conference—I hope I shall not be mistaken in my purpose—I want to draw attention to what might be said to be a new policy on the part of Governments. I think Governments, both inside and outside the British Commonwealth, several of the Commonwealth Governments, and, I think, several of the European Governments have decided that future representation at the League of Nations shall include non-Government representatives. Those are people outside Government parties, and even in some cases, Opposition parties, such as Australia, I think England, and I have heard, Canada. I do not want to suggest on behalf of those for whom I am able to speak, but I do suggest on behalf of other Parties in the House and as a matter of general policy, that it may well be worthy of the Government's consideration that they should adopt a similar policy with regard to representation at the League of Nations' Conferences. When the proposal was brought forward for the establishment of such a League, it was criticised in many countries on the grounds that it was to be a League of Governments rather than a League of Peoples. An attempt to get away from that conception which was criticised is shown in the development which is to associate various parties in the various States in those Conferences.
I just remind the Ministry of that. They may have made their decisions for this year, but it is, I think, an example which would be worthy to be followed in future years if not this year.
I will undertake to bring that before the Executive Council. We have not yet decided on the representation that will go out this year. I put it, of course, to Deputy Johnson that it would be rather difficult to define what is opposition here, and I hope, if we were to come to that agreement, there would be some catholic interpretation of that term.
I said non-Government parties, even though they were entirely outside the Dáil.
It sometimes happens in connection with parties which form the Opposition that they are really oil and water. I take it if such a proposal as this were to be considered and adopted by the Executive Council, there would be a harmonising if there were not a mixture of oil and water. We have now four parties, some in opposition, some maintaining a benevolent neutrality, and others a beneficent neutrality, and so on. I will not go into the exact distinctions between them. Those who were lately most friendly to us are perhaps now most critical towards us, but as none of them is here, I must not say anything about them. We have four parties which are non-Government parties, and in that connection it is impossible to effect individual representation in this case. There should be some understanding about it if it were to be carried out. I think the proposal is a good one, and I will undertake to bring it before the Executive Council.
Would I be in order in raising a matter under a Vote that has been passed?
No. You cannot go back on anything which has been already passed.
Is it open to raise the matter on the Appropriation Bill?
Yes, on the Report of the Resolution.
