asked the Minister for External Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to a report that the British Home Secretary, Mr. R. A. Butler, was now almost certain to restore to the present British Immigration Bill provisions to cover Irish citizens; whether he has any information to this effect; and whether he will outline the position at present reached in negotiations between the Government and the British Government on this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - British Immigration Bill: Position of Irish Citizens.
30.
I have seen the report to which the Deputy refers.
As stated in reply to questions on this subject in the Dáil on 15th instant, we have been in consultation with the British Government about the extent to which the proposed legislation may apply in practice to immigration from this country. As these consultations have not concluded, I do not think that it would be desirable to make a further statement at this stage.