Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 2 Oct 1940

Vol. 81 No. 1

Committee on Finance. - Vote 65—External Affairs.

Minister for External Affairs (The Taoiseach)

I move :—

Go ndeontar suim Breise ná raghaidh thar £10 chun íoctha an Mhuirir a thiocfaidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31adh lá de Mhárta, 1941, 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 on the 31st day of March, 1941, 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).

A year ago the Swiss Government raised its Consulate General here to the rank of a Legation and appointed a diplomatic representative with the rank of Chargé d'Affaires. The purpose of this Estimate is to enable the Government to establish a Legation at Berne, and to appoint a Chargé d'Affaires there. The representative whom we have had at Geneva up to the present, although not a diplomatic representative, was in a position to give considerable assistance to any of our citizens who happened to be in Switzerland, and to give us information which kept us in contact with that country. It is proposed now to close the office in Geneva and to establish an office in Berne instead. The cost is practically the same. For the remaining half year, as between the sum that was estimated for the office at Geneva and the office that we are establishing at Berne, the difference in cost is only £10. It is important that we should have diplomatic relations with Switzerland. Everyone knows that Switzerland is one of the great small countries of Europe. Its traditions and culture, and the fact that great channels of communication pass through that country, all make it desirable that we should be represented there. A number of our citizens go to Switzerland from time to time as tourists and also for health purposes. It is desirable that we should have a representative there to give them the assistance which only a State representative can render. I do not think that it is necessary for me to commend this Estimate to the House. I am sure everybody will agree that it would be a great pity if our representation in Switzerland were not to continue.

Professor O'Sullivan

We do not intend to oppose this Estimate. There are many reasons, sentimental as well as those which the Minister has mentioned, why we should welcome proper representation in Switzerland. In addition to the reasons which the Minister has mentioned, there is a considerable trade with this country by Switzerland in horses, and, as Switzerland is in the very centre of Europe, it is very desirable, particularly at the present time, that we should have a person there to represent the interests of this country. I was not clear about one portion of the Minister's statement. I understand that this is a substitution for the representation at Geneva. I take it for granted that that does not mean that we are taking sides on the question of support of, or opposition to, the idea of the League. I take it that this is merely a change for better convenience at the present time, and that it does not commit us to any fundamental change in policy.

Mr. Norton

I agree that it is very desirable to maintain, and even to improve, the status of our representation in Switzerland. As the Minister has rightly said, many of our people go there at present, and will continue to go there in the future, for health and recreation purposes. Switzerland is also a country to which many of our people travel in the course of their tours through Europe. I should like to ascertain from the Minister whether it is intended to appoint the person who is permanent delegate to the League of Nations as Chargé d'Affaires.

The Taoiseach

Yes.

Mr. Norton

In that case, I should like to take this opportunity—I would not do so if the appointment were pending—to pay a tribute to the courtesy and efficient service which our representative at Geneva has rendered to our people. I know from personal knowledge that he has rendered excellent service to many people who were there for the first time. I had occasion myself to avail of services, which he gave very generously and very courteously, regarding travel facilities throughout the country. I am sure that, in his hands, our representation there will be perfectly safe, and that his deportment will enhance not only his own reputation but the reputation of the State.

Mr. Everett

The road workers will not have much occasion to use his services.

General Mulcahy

Perhaps the Minister would say where the headquarters of the League of Nations are at present and whether our representative at Geneva will also be our representative at the League of Nations.

An Ceann Comhairle

Questions affecting the League of Nations are not relevant.

General Mulcahy

If we could get the information, it would not upset anybody.

An Ceann Comhairle

It might originate a debate on the League of Nations. If the Taoiseach cares to give the information when concluding, well and good, but the League of Nations may not be discussed on this Vote.

General Mulcahy

I would ask Deputies not to raise a debate but to keep off that question.

The Taoiseach

As regards the question whether this elevation of our representative to the rank of Chargé d'Affaires and Diplomatic Representative in Switzerland indicates any attitude on our part regarding the League of Nations controversy, I want to assure Deputy O'Sullivan that it does not. Our representative will still be representative to the League of Nations. Certain exception was taken to representatives at Geneva acting at Berne but the contrary does not hold. It has not been unusual for representatives at Berne to act as representatives at the League of Nations so that it is rather a widening and a raising of our representative's function than a substitution.

With regard to the question put by Deputy Mulcahy, I am afraid it is not possible to say at the moment where the future headquarters of the League of Nations are likely to be. All I can say is that they have not actually been removed from Geneva up to the present. I am very glad that the services of our representative at Geneva have been appreciated. I think that our representatives in every country have done everything possible to represent their country adequately and assist Irish citizens who happen to need their services and that is particularly so in the case of our representative at Geneva.

Vote agreed to and reported.