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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Dec 1926

Vol. 17 No. 7

WRITTEN ANSWERS. - FINANCIAL SETTLEMENT BETWEEN THE SAORSTÁT AND GREAT BRITAIN.

I desire to ask the President if he will provide the Dáil with facilities, by fixing a date, for a discussion on the White Paper setting out the terms of the ultimate financial settlement between the Free State and Great Britain?

As far as time is concerned. I am prepared to agree to have it discussed to-morrow afternoon after questions.

I suggest to the President that there are items in this White Paper that are not quite clearly understood and that cannot be understood. They require some explanation. It would be opportune, I think, to give some explanation of the various items in the White Paper.

The Minister for Finance would do that in the course of the discussion.

AN CEANN COMHAIRLE

Before we decide that, there is also the question of the report of the proceedings of the Imperial Conference. If that is to be discussed we ought, I think, to decide these two things together.

Unfortunately the Minister for External Affairs has not been very well for the last week or fortnight. I had hoped to be able to indicate on what date we would be able to take that discussion. Perhaps before the adjournment this evening I may be in a position to say when he will be able to make a statement.

I understood that there was a definite arrangement that it should be taken on Thursday.

There was, but that depends on the Minister's health.

It is on account of the Minister's health, then, that it is not being taken.

He has been seriously unwell for the last week or fortnight.

Arising out of the President's statement with regard to the White Paper, will he say when it will be circulated amongst Deputies? It has been laid on the Table of the House, but so far it has not been circulated amongst Deputies. I think that the White Paper should be in our hands when debating this matter.

AN CEANN COMHAIRLE

If the White Paper has not been circulated the Deputy can certainly get a copy. With regard to the President's suggestion to take this matter after questions to-morrow, it seems to me that it would be better to take it when we have disposed of the business on the Order Paper to-morrow. That would still leave a considerable amount of time. We could take it on a motion for the adjournment unless Deputy Magennis desires to give notice himself to take it on the adjournment to-morrow.

Would not that limit the discussion to half an hour?

AN CEANN COMHAIRLE

No. We could take it by general agreement without limitation of time on the motion for the adjournment. If we took it after questions we would have to limit the time in some way so that we would be able to deal with the ordinary Orders of the Day.

Is it understood that the discussion will begin with a statement from the Minister for Finance in explanation of the White Paper?

I am willing to do that.

With regard to the Imperial Conference Report, that is a matter which I think should have some attention at the earliest possible date. It seems to be going by default that it is something that everybody applauds and approves of. Therefore, I think that it is desirable that there should be some explanations given in the House of it at the earliest possible date.

I am sure that as soon as the Minister recovers it will be given without any delay.

I think it would be better if a date were fixed for next week, and that it were understood the Minister for Finance would expound this extraordinary document to the House and initiate the debate. It is a most important matter involving millions of pounds. It was done in the dark, and no facilities were given for debating it. It is a matter of the utmost importance to the State to have it fully understood. It is only the Minister for Finance, who set his name to it, who can thoroughly explain its details and their implications. We would be really debating it in the dark without the Minister's opening explanation.

AN CEANN COMHAIRLE

Does the Deputy prefer next week to this week?

Yes. I think. too, that the White Paper should be circulated amongst Deputies. That, I think, would be desirable.

Then I take it the Deputy objects to discuss it to-morrow?

I do not object.

Then we will have it to-morrow.

I merely expressed a preference for next week, inasmuch as other Deputies have displayed an interest in it. I believe the country, when they have heard about it, will also display an interest in it.

The sooner they have the interest the better. We will take it to-morrow.

AN CEANN COMHAIRLE

If the Report has not been circulated it will be circulated this evening, I take it?

Very well.

Ordered—"That the discussion be taken on Wednesday, on the motion for the adjournment."

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