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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Jul 1945

Vol. 97 No. 23

Committee on Finance. - Estimates for Public Services, 1945-46. Vote 65—External Affairs (Resumed).

Since the first time I listened to the Taoiseach in this House I was more disappointed than ever to-night, for the simple reason that there was one matter which I expected would be first and foremost in his mind, as I believed that the time was ripe for that matter, and that is the fact that six of our counties are still kept away from us. But instead of that matter being foremost in his speech he never mentioned one word about it. I regret very much that he has adopted that attitude. It is one of the matters that have caused grave disappointment amongst our people, not alone at our side of the Border but amongst our brother Irishmen on the other. I hope it is the last time that those six counties will be a matter of external affairs. I hope that in 12 months' time they will not come under that heading at all. I believe that, with an honest attempt made by the people of this country—the people of this country, north and south, not the people of any other country—the question of Partition will not be a matter of external affairs at all.

I will bring the Taoiseach back to the year 1927—quite a long time ago, 18 long years ago. I remember being a delegate from my county at a Fianna Fáil Árd-Fheis here in this city. I remember the Taoiseach speaking to us there as members of the Fianna Fáil Organisation. I remember a friend of ours from Northern Ireland, and his voice is still ringing in my ears. The question he constantly kept crying out was: "What about Ulster?" That is 18 years ago, and that cry is as fresh to-day as it was 18 years ago. The Taoiseach told us that day: "We have a plan, and all that is necessary is to put the Fianna Fáil Party into power. Once we get into power we will put that plan in motion. I promise you people that the first thing we will do is to have the Border abolished."

I would be interested to see that quotation from any source whatever.

Does the Taoiseach deny it?

Will the Deputy get it?

I probably will.

Well, get it.

I move to report progress.

Progress reported; the Committee to sit again.
The Dáil adjourned at 9 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Wednesday, 18th July.
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