asked the Minister for External Affairs whether he is aware of a statement made in the British House of Commons by the Under-Secretary for Dominions that Éire is part of the British Commonwealth of Nations; if this statement is correct, and, if not, if he will consider a public denial of it.
Ceisteanna. — Questions. Oral Answers. - External Relations.
As I pointed out in the Dáil on the 28th June this year during the debate on the Estimates for the Department of External Affairs our position in regard to the British Commonwealth of Nations is governed by, and defined legally in, two instruments: one, an Act of the Oireachtas entitled Executive Authority (External Relations) Act, 1936, Section 3 (1). The other is the Bunreacht which in Article 29, Section 4 (2) gives the Government certain powers in the executive domain in regard to our external relations. These are both public documents and can be read by anyone who desires to know the position. I do not propose to try to paraphrase them or to give any definition to the relationship established by them save that contained in the words of the documents themselves. I do not think it necessary to do so, nor do I think anything would be gained by attempting it.
The Taoiseach has not answered the question I put to him. I have asked the Taoiseach if the statement that Éire is a part of the British Commonwealth is correct? Yes or no?
I think the Deputy will take some time to learn that you cannot always answer questions by "yes" or "no". The Deputy can read the documents. He can see any definitions that the British may give of what they mean by the relationship between the British Commonwealth of Nations, and if he is not satisfied he can settle it with them.
But the Taoiseach has stated on numerous occasions——
The Deputy must confine himself to a supplementary.
Is the Taoiseach aware that this is a question of national importance, and that the people are anxiously looking forward to a reply to clear the air as far as this statement in the British House of Commons is concerned? I consider the reply most unsatisfactory.
I can only say that this matter was settled back in 1936 and 1937 by the External Relations Act on the one hand and the Constitution on the other. It has not been changed since, and we do not propose to change it at the moment.
Then we are a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations?
Make up your own mind on it.
I suggest that we ask the British Under-Secretary for the Dominions what he meant.
We have a British hangman coming over anyway.