I noticed that on the Second Stage of this Bill, and also on the motion agreeing to ratify the Treaty, of which this is the consequence, there was no discussion in the Dáil. I would like to ask the Minister whether there is any time-limit to this Bill. The Treaty exists for only one year from the date of ratification. After that, it can be denounced on three months' notice. I wonder if the Minister would agree to introduce something into the Bill so that it would come to an end once the Treaty, of which this is the result, is denounced. I notice that this Bill confers on the Portuguese a gift on the part of this country without any compensation whatever. We only obtain the ordinary formula of the most favoured nation treatment, whereas we give a definite undertaking to the Portuguese in respect to their trade designation for Port and Madeira. In his speech, the Minister referred to the desirability of this Bill and stated that he wished to make similar agreements with other countries. I do not see how that applies to this particular Bill, because in the past the Portuguese have never shown any particular kindness to us in commercial matters. In fact, on the contrary, the Portuguese have been exceptionally tight-fisted in their dealings with us. For over one hundred years we gave a special preference to their port in this country, which resulted in a large amount of gout in Dublin during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. We gave a special preference which does not exist as far as any other type of wine is concerned, while at the same time the Portuguese refused point-blank to allow our woollen goods into their country, and it was only as a result of threats of war and ten years' agitation of Grattan's Parliament that eventually the Portuguese were brought to reason. If this Treaty should be ever denounced or come to an end, I hope the Minister will keep in mind the fact that the word "port" is just as much a Portuguese word as "whiskey" is an Irish word. If we are to give a guarantee that wine only from the Duoro regions is to be sold in Ireland as port, perhaps the Portuguese will agree that the only Irish liquor that will be sold in Portugal will be under the name of whiskey. That is for the future. I would like if the Minister would say if this Bill will automatically come to an end with the end of the Treaty or not.
Money Resolution. - Portuguese Treaty Bill, 1930—Third Stage.
The Bill, of course, is open to amendment and repeal at any time. That is a definite answer to the Deputy. It is definitely tied up in the long title with the Treaty, but I do not think that the connection is so strong that denunciation of the Treaty would bring the Bill to an end. But it is a very easy matter to get the Bill repealed. I do not think it would necessarily follow that because the Treaty came to a conclusion the Bill would have to be repealed. I am standing on these two phrases in thus enunciating a principle which we ourselves have been endeavouring to have established in connection with such things as Belleek china, Irish lace, Limerick hams, and other things like that. Necessarily, I say, the Bill would not lapse because the Treaty lapsed or was denounced. It will be for the Oireachtas of the time to consider whether the Bill should continue or whether this particular privilege, as the Deputy called it, should be given to the Portuguese if the Treaty is denounced.