Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 6 Jul 1939

Vol. 76 No. 16

Committee on Finance. - Vote 67—External Affairs.

Minister for External Affairs (the Taoiseach)

I move:—

Go ndeontar suim ná raghaidh thar £10 chun íoctha an Mhuirir a thiocfaidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31adh lá de Mhárta, 1940, chun Tuarastail agus Costaisí Oifig an Aire Gnóthaí Eachtracha, agus Seirbhísí áirithe atá fé riaradh na hOifige sin (Uimh. 16 de 1924).

That a supplementary sum not exceeding £10 be granted to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending 31st March, 1940, for the Salaries and Expenses of the Office of the Minister for External Affairs, and of certain Services administered by that Office (No. 16 of 1924).

This Estimate is introduced in connection with the establishment of a representative of this State in Canada. When I was speaking a year ago, I think it was, I indicated that one of the developments that I foresaw was an exchange of diplomatic representatives, with countries in which there was a large Irish population. Canada and Australia suggest themselves immediately in that connection. I am not quite sure if I indicated at the time that I proposed in the near future to try to secure an exchange of representatives between ourselves and Canada. This Estimate, and the announcement recently of the appointment of a representative to Canada, show that my hopes have materialised. Canada is already a very important State in the world and, from its position, its size and general resources, it is likely to be still more important in the future. A large section of Canada's population can trace their origin to this country and, consequently, I think it is advisable that we should have the representation for which the Estimate provides.

I do not think it is necessary for me to go at any length here into the importance of the establishment of these diplomatic relations. The Canadian Government and our Government— Canada and Ireland—have been all the time on the most friendly terms and we hope that the establishment of direct diplomatic relations will improve those good relations, if that were possible, and will ensure that they will long continue. I would like to take this opportunity of expressing the goodwill of the Government, and the goodwill of the Parliament and of the Irish people to the Government and the people of Canada. I know that the House will rejoice at the fact that the project which I have indicated has been brought to a successful conclusion.

Mr. Dillon

Certainly, so far as this side of the House is concerned, we would be anxious to join with the Government in expressing goodwill and, indeed, admiration for the Dominion of Canada, and I think it will be a source of gratification to all sections of the community that we should enter into closer relationship with that great country than that which we even at present enjoy. I am glad to hear that steps are being taken also to solidify and strengthen the bonds that associate us with Australia, where there is also a very great number of our people. On a recent visit to that country I discovered that one in four of the total population regarded themselves as being persons of Irish birth or Irish extraction. It is also true that in New Zealand one in seven claims the same associations, and I think we ought to consider seriously the desirability of extending the same association, which is here indicated, to that country as well.

There are those who may take the view that the immediate financial return of such an exchange of representatives will not be commensurate with the outlay. That I believe to be an obscurantist view, because the establishment of close relations with outside countries, very frequently, may be measured more effectively by results other than those measurable in terms of money, and, as the Taoiseach has pointed out, in the case of Canada and Australia, we are not dealing with foreign countries: we are dealing with countries that look back in a large degree to this country as their mother country, and the action we take to-day emphasises the intimate bond that binds us to them.

I should like to know from the Taoiseach, explicitly, when we may expect to receive the Canadian High Commissioner in this country, and, secondly, I should like to know from him whether negotiations are proceeding with the Commonwealth of Australia with a view to sending a High Commissioner here, and whether the Government has considered the desirability of opening similar negotiations with the Dominion of New Zealand.

The Taoiseach

With regard to the questions asked by the Deputy, I expect that there will be an exchange of representatives, within a reasonable time, and that the Canadian representative will be sent here then, but I cannot give the precise date at the moment. With regard to Australia, we have not entered into negotiations in that matter. I simply indicated that, on account of the fact that Canada and Australia and, to a certain extent, New Zealand, were countries in which there was a large Irish population—and referring to what I said a year ago—these were countries with which, naturally, we would wish to establish diplomatic relations as early as possible. We would have to consider the question as to what would be a suitable time, and, naturally, we should have to enter into consultations in advance, more or less informally and unofficially, in order to find out whether it would be possible for the Australian Government to consider the matter, and also to ascertain if we are in a position to consider the matter ourselves. I do not think I can go any further than that at the moment.

The question of New Zealand, naturally, will arise at a later stage, and I think that the same considerations which we will have to give in the case of Australia will hold in the case of New Zealand. It is true to say, of course, that it is a mistake to try to estimate in terms of pounds, shillings and pence, the value of representation of this sort, but we have to consider, generally, our means in these matters, and we have to move according as our resources will permit. I think that this is about as far as we can go at the moment. However, naturally, I shall see whether, if we were in a position to adopt the course suggested by the Deputy of sending representatives to Australia, they would consider the matter, and they would also have to consider questions such as we have to consider, as to means and so on. I would endeavour to find out informally whether the time is opportune to make an approach in that matter.

Mr. Dillon

In that connection, will the Taoiseach also bear in mind that a special bond of sympathy exists between this country and the Union of South Africa? The Taoiseach will remember that they are not unmindful that, in their time of tribulation, they had a sympathetic friend in Ireland, and I think they have given evidence since then that they remember that and feel that it establishes a special link between us. When the further consideration, to which the Taoiseach has referred, comes to be given, will he also bear in mind the case of the Union of South Africa and consider whether they might not also be included in the scope of this proposal?

The Taoiseach

Certainly.

Vote agreed to and reported.