In accordance with the resolution passed at the last meeting of the Seanad, I communicated its terms to Sir Horace Plunkett, and at the same time I intimated to him that I thought the feeling of the Seanad was that, in his particular case, they would be satisfied with an even occasional attendance. In reply I received the following letter:—
The Crest House,
Weybridge,
20th November, 1923.
MY DEAR GLENAVY,
The extraordinary kindness of the Senate's resolution on Wednesday last, and the terms in which you have interpreted their feelings towards me, move me deeply. They make it more than ever difficult to adhere to the decision to which I was forced by reasons stated in my letter of resignation. Apart, however, from other considerations, I could not meet the very proper condition that I should "promise an occasional attendance."
I am sure I need not assure the Senate that my resignation was due to no failure to appreciate the honour of the original appointment, which indeed they have enhanced. So essential is complete detachment from party politics to the Irish service I still hope to render, that I could not have accepted the honour but for the duty, as I conceived it to be in the circumstances of the time, to support the settlement of 1921 in any way the Free State Government might desire. But as things are, I am sure I can best serve Ireland, both at home and abroad, by using such influence as may derive from the goodwill of my fellow-countrymen along the lines of my own special work.
I am gratefully and sincerely yours,
HORACE PLUNKETT.
Consequently it becomes necessary to proceed to an election in the ordinary course to fill the casual vacancy. Under our Standing Orders the date of that election should be fixed now. It is not to be sooner than one fortnight from the date on which the election is fixed; that is to say, fixing it to-day, the first day the election can take place is this day fortnight. There will probably be no meeting of the Seanad until then, having regard to the state of business in the Dáil. Perhaps some Senator will move that the date of the election be fixed for this day fortnight.
