asked the Minister for External Affairs whether the Saorstát has signed the Protocol for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes unanimously recommended by the Assembly of the League of Nations, and if this is not the case, whether the Executive Council accepts the principle embodied in the Protocol.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - SETTLEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL DISPUTES.
The Executive Council are in full agreement with the general principle of the Protocol, namely, that arbitration should be substituted for armed force in international disputes, but before signing they wish to give serious consideration to each one of the Articles, and, if necessary, to submit the Protocol for the approval of the Oireachtas.
Is the Minister aware that at least twelve States, including France, have already signed the Protocol, and are we going to be the last?
I am aware that twelve States have already signed, but we have until next May to sign, so that we need not necessarily be the last.