asked the Minister for External Affairs if it is his intention to make a statement in the House, before the Dáil adjourns, indicating what success, if any, attended the recent visit of the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defensive Measures to the United States of America.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Minister's Visit to the U.S.A.
asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will make a statement on the result of the visit to the United States of America of the Minister for the Coordination of Defensive Measures.
I propose to take questions 1 and 2 together. As Deputies are aware, the purpose of the Minister's visit to the United States was to examine the possibility of purchasing arms and supplies from that country. As regards arms, unfortunately, his efforts were not successful. As regards supplies, the American Government offered to release for sale to us and transfer to the Irish flag two cargo vessels to be used for the transport of supplies from America to Ireland. This offer was accepted. Irish crews for these two ships are already on their way to America, and the ships are expected to be ready for sea in the course of the next few weeks. The Minister was also able to do much to make our position better known and understood generally.