asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will state the names and qualifications of our representatives attending the Commonwealth Scientific Conference at present being held in London.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Conference Delegates.
Our delegates to the Commonwealth Scientific Conference are:— Professor Felix E.W. Hackett, M.A., M.Sc., Ph.D., Professor of Physics and Electrical Engineering in University College, Dublin, Member of the Industrial Research Council and of the Governing Board of the School of Theoretical Physics in the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies, and Professor Ernest T.S. Walton, M.A., M.Sc., Ph.D., Professor of Physical Chemistry in Trinity College, Dublin, and member of the Governing Board of the School of Theoretical Physics in the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies.
asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will state the names and qualifications of our representatives attending the Commonwealth Conference on Standards.
The delegates appointed to represent this country at the Commonwealth Standards Conference, are Mr. J. Ingram, B.E., B.Sc., Chairman of the Building Research Committee, and Mr. J. J. Lennon, M.Sc., D. Phil., Secretary of the Industrial Research Council and of the Building Research Committee. The Conference has been postponed till September.
Will the Taoiseach say if these are not both State employees and whether it is considered that some outside persons should represent us also?
As a matter of fact, in regard to Commonwealth Conferences, I think it is desirable for the most part, so far as it is possible, to have State employees.
Surely not where scientific matters, on the one hand, and matters of vital economic and manufacturing importance, on the other hand, are to be considered?
I am not sure that I can agree with the Deputy in that, because these are official conferences and there may be questions arising as to which it may be desired to have those who are associated with Government work attending.
I do not object to that, but surely our manufacturers, from their practical manufacturing point of view, are very interested in knowing and seeing what is being done and decided at these conferences and they would have a contribution to make.
The number of representatives that can attend is limited. You have only two and you will not get any two representatives who will be able to represent every aspect of the work to be done.
Are we to understand that the number of representatives is limited to two in each case?
I do not know if that is so in each specific case, but I know that was the case.
asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will state when and where the first meeting of the International Health Committee of the United Nations Organisation will be held; and the names and qualifications of the persons appointed to attend as observers on our behalf.
The International Health Conference to which the Deputy refers opened in New York on the 19th June and is still in session. Dr. J. D. MacCormack, Medical Inspector of the Department of Local Government and Public Health, is representing this country at the conference as an observer.
Will the Taoiseach say whether any consideration was given to the possibility of a representative being present from the ordinary medical organisations outside Departmental circles?
This was a question of an observer and Dr. MacCormack happened to be on the spot and got short notice.
asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will state the names and qualifications of our representatives attending the Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux Conference at present being held in London.
Our delegates to this conference are Mr. J. Dempsey, B.Sc., A.R.C.Sc.I., senior inspector of the Department of Agriculture, and Mr. J. J. Brady, M.Agr.Sc., agricultural inspector of the Department.
Will the Taoiseach say whether the dairying industry from outside was considered at all for representation?
These are official conferences.
Does the Taoiseach suggest that in the representation at these conferences it is intended by the conveners of the conferences to restrict them entirely to official persons?
I take it that it is.
Will the Taoiseach say whether other Governments participating in these conferences are represented by civil servants or person of Ministerial rank?
I would say civil servants. If the Deputy puts down a specific question, I will get him a definite reply.