asked the Minister for External Affairs if, in relation to the suggestion made by Great Britain last December to the Government of the Irish Free State that informal exchanges of view should take place on the questions which might come up for discussion at Ottawa, any representation or request has been made to the British Government by or on behalf of the Government of the Irish Free State to have the discussions commenced, and, if so, with what result.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ottawa Conference.
No exchange of views has taken place between the Saorstát and British Governments on the questions which might come up for discussion at Ottawa. We understand that our position in this respect is not different from that of at least two other States of the Commonwealth. The High Commissioner asked for information or suggested discussion on five distinct occasions between the beginning of January and the middle of the present month. He received certain documents relating to the trade between these two countries on the 18th April. Further information was promised. It must be remembered, however, that the agenda for the Conference was not circulated by the Canadian Government until yesterday, and without the agenda discussions could hardly be expected to yield concrete results.
The suggestion was made, it is stated, last December that informal exchanges of views should take place. Clearly those were intended to take place prior to the circulation of an agenda. I want to know if the High Commissioner on behalf of the Government of Saorstát Eireann made any request to have discussions commenced, and, if so, what answer was returned to him.
I understand there were some communications, but I am not familiar with them. Perhaps the Deputy would not mind putting down another question later, when the President will be here to answer.
I suggest that this question be put down as it at present stands for the first day next week on which the President will be here.