Council of Europe—Selection of Representatives.

Rúnaí Parlaiminte an Taoisigh (Donnchadh Ó Briain) (thar ceann an Taoisigh)

Tá orm a chur in iúl don Dáil go bhfuiltear tar éis na daoine seo leanas a roghnú mar Thoscairí agus Ionadaithe ó Éirinn don Chúigiú Seisiún de Chomhthionól Comhairlitheach Comhairle na h-Eorpa a thiocfas le chéile i Strasbourg an 7ú Bealtaine, 1953.

Toscairí: An Teachta Gearóid Ó Beoláin, Aire Dlí agus Cirt; Séamas Mac an Chrosáin, iar-Sheanadóir; an Seanadóir Prionsias Ó Lachtnáin, agus an Teachta Liam de Nortún.

Ionadaithe: An Teachta Seán Ó Beirn; an Teachta Niall Bléine; an Teachta Peadar Ó Comhdhain, agus an Seanadóir Micheál B. Yeats.

I have to inform the Dáil that the following have been selected as representatives and substitutes from Ireland to the Fifth Session of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe, which will meet at Strasbourg on the 7th May, 1953. The representatives chosen are: Deputy Gerald Boland,

Minister for Justice; James Crosbie, a former Senator; Senator Frank Loughman, and Deputy William Norton. The substitutes are: Deputy John Beirne; Deputy Neil Blaney; Deputy Peadar Cowan, and Senator Michael B. Yeats.

General Mulcahy

Would the Taoiseach say who is responsible for the recommendation that Deputy Cowan be authorised to speak for Ireland at an international assembly?

The Taoiseach

As the Deputy well knows, arrangements were made so that the different groups get representation this time the same as before.

General Mulcahy

Who is responsible for the recommendation?

The Taoiseach

The group.

General Mulcahy

What group?

The Taoiseach

The group to which the Deputy belongs.

General Mulcahy

Who are they?

The Taoiseach

The Deputy knows as well as I do that in all cases the various Parties are consulted and their wishes obtained, and in accordance with that the Deputies are appointed.

General Mulcahy

Who is responsible for the ultimate choice as to who will represent Ireland on this international assembly?

The Taoiseach

The Dáil ultimately, I suppose, is, but I am putting forward, as has been done on previous occasions, the names recommended by the various groups.

General Mulcahy

The Taoiseach says the Dáil is ultimately responsible. By what action does it show that responsibility?

The Taoiseach

The same as it has always done.

General Mulcahy

Will the Minister for External Affairs take notice that when we discuss Vote 59, under which the money for the Council of Europe Conference is to be voted, we will move the Vote back for reconsideration for the purpose of getting from theMinister for External Affairs, in the circumstances of this appointment, a rather clear idea of what the Council of Europe Conference will discuss at its next session and the spirit and instructions with which our representatives are going there to represent Ireland?

The Taoiseach

The Deputy knows full well the basis on which the representatives go there. They are not representing the country, but different groups. That is the basis of their representation.

Mr. Morrissey

May I ask the Taoiseach a simple question? Will the Taoiseach say by whom Deputy Cowan was recommended?

The Taoiseach

By the group—the Independent group—to which he belongs.

Mr. Morrissey

I want to get this clear. Therefore, I take it the Taoiseach is satisfied that there was a proper meeting of all the Independent members of this House and that from that proper meeting——

The Taoiseach

I am not satisfied of anything of the kind. What I do say is that the same procedure was followed on this occasion as in the past. When we were on the other side, we did not question those selected by the group on this side.

Mr. Morrissey

The question did not arise.

The Taoiseach

Do you think that if we wanted to raise a question about people who were chosen by the others we would not do it?

Mr. Morrissey

I know you could but the question did not arise.

Mr. MacEntee

Sour grapes.

Mr. Morrissey

Is it you selected the "red nuncio"?

The Taoiseach

The fact is that the representatives to the Council of Europe are representatives of groups in the parliamentary institution. Theyare supposed to be representative and that is why, for instance, when we were in opposition, we selected certain members in the same way. The Whips did the consultation.

Mr. A. Byrne

I wish to state emphatically that this is the first I heard of Deputy Cowan's selection. I was not summoned to any meeting of Independents to select representatives.