asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will state with special reference to the Despatch seat on 6th July last by the British Government relative to the composition of a Tribunal to decide the Land Annuities dispute (inter alia), (a) if any restriction was thereby sought to be imposed on the appointment of Irish Free State nationals by the Irish Free State Government as their nominees on such Tribunal; (b) if any restriction was thereby sought to be imposed on the appointment, by agreement, of an Irish Free State national as Chairman; (c) if it is possible for the Government of the Irish Free State to appoint as their nominees some of the Counsel who prepared their case for the retention of the Land Annuities; (d) if there is any reason why a Tribunal with such Irish nominees should not be constituted forthwith and meet to consider the appointment of a Chairman.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Composition of Land Annuities Tribunal.
The full text of the Despatch of the 6th July will be in the hands of the Deputy within a day or two, and he will then be able to draw his own conclusions. No special restrictions were sought to be imposed as to the composition of the Tribunal beyond that of confining its membership to persons drawn from the States of the Commonwealth. It was because of that restricting condition that the Government of the Irish Free State refused to accept it. The possibility—if there were such a possibility—of having a citizen of this State selected by the nominees of both sides as Chairman would not make the Tribunal more acceptable. The principle for which the Government stands in this controversy is that the tribunal to determine the dispute between the two States should be an international tribunal, that is to say, a tribunal selected without restriction as to the nationality of its members. The Government have no intention of abandoning that principle.
Are we to understand that the Government would not be disposed to appoint Irish nationals on an international tribunal?
The Deputy has no reason for understanding any such thing.
Am I to understand that, in the Vice-President's opinion, the statement made since the receipt of the dispatch of the 6th July, that restrictions were being imposed on the nominees of the Irish Free State, is incorrect? I would like to have that question answered.
Would the Deputy mind repeating his question?
Am I to understand that, in the judgment of the Vice-President, the statement made since the receipt of the dispatch on 6th July, that restrictions were imposed on the nominees of the Irish Free State Government, is incorrect?
I am not aware of that statement.
Apart from what the Vice-President is aware of, would it be a fact or not?
Would what be a fact?
Would it be correct to state that since 6th July any restriction has been imposed on the nominees—not the Chairman—of the Irish Free State Government?
I am not aware of any statement of that kind.
I am not asking the Vice-President if he is aware of such statement. What I want to know is would such a statement, if made, be correct or inaccurate?
I will be glad to answer that question if the Deputy will put it down. I would like to have notice of it.
Very good. The President did say that since 6th July.