asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will state if the Saorstát Army team was entered for the Connaught Gold Challenge Trophy competed for at Olympia on Wednesday, June 22nd; if so, why the team did not compete, and if it was not entered, why not.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Saorstát Army Team at Olympia.
The Saorstát team were not entered for and did not compete for the Connaught Gold Challenge Trophy at Olympia. A certain number of the competitions on the programme was selected for our team; this particular competition was not included in the selection.
I asked why.
It must be obvious to the Deputy that a number of considerations would cover the selection of entries on a sports programme.
What particular consideration would govern the selection in this instance, and why was this particular trophy not competed for?
I was not at the selection of the team and I do not know anything more about it.
This is a matter that relates to our external relations and, although the President might not have been present at the selection of the team, surely he is able to get information if he cares to give it?
I do not know what considerations might govern the selection. If I were selecting a team for a number of competitions on a programme my selection would be subject to a variety of considerations, such as the team, the nature of the competitions and so on. I could not ask to be informed any further in regard to the matter.
I did not ask anything about the selection of a team for a number of competitions. I asked about the entry of a particular team for a specially-named competition. I would like to know why that question is not answered?
My answer is, I think, sufficiently explicit. I say that a certain number of competitions on the programme were selected for our team to compete in. This particular one was not included in the selection.
And I asked why.
There were a number of others not included.
The President has not stated why. I asked in the written question why the team was not entered and that has not been answered.
The Deputy might as well have asked me why they were not selected in relation to a number of other competitions.
Luckily I did not. I asked the President in relation to one competition and I asked for a precise reason why the team did not compete.
I will not give the Deputy any further information than I have given. I think I have given all it is desirable to give.
Might I ask if the reason is as stated in the Press, that it was because the competition was confined in a particular way?
I do not know anything about that.
Does the President believe that is the case?
I do not know anything about it.
The President has no knowledge of it? I desire to give notice that I shall raise this matter at a later stage.
Might I ask whether the President would have any objection on principle to the Free State team competing in the competition?
That is a completely different question.
I am not going to answer any further questions in relation to this matter.
Does this come under the caption of foreign games?
Ottawa is not a foreign game.