I move:
"That the Seanad, being of opinion that it would be in the public interest if questions could be addressed in the Seanad to the Ministers of the different Government Departments, respectfully requests the President and his colleagues to make arrangements by which, after due notice had been given, Ministers would attend in the Seanad for the purpose of replying to such questions by answer or other explanation as in their discretion they think right."
May I remark that this is not the original motion that I handed in. You, Sir, have thought fit,—and you have every right to do so,—to alter my motion. The sense of it is really not altered. Let me explain to the Seanad my reason for putting this motion down. The fact of the matter is that there are some questions that are most important for us to put in the Seanad. I put some questions down and I was told it was against the orders that any question should be put to Ministers here, for the very good reason that the Ministers were not here. My motion is to enable the Ministers to attend. I do not wish to be impossible on the subject. If one puts down a frivolous question it is easy for the Minister to send his Secretary and say: "There is no reason for me to attend to answer a question of that sort. If the Senator likes to come and see me I have no doubt we can settle it." There are other questions of great importance which I think, and I hope, that the Seanad will agree with me, ought to be put to Ministers and ought to be answered by them. Now, Sir, you have suggested "questions by answer or other explanation." I should like to add after the word "answer" the words, "verbally or in writing," because there are questions that a Minister can answer in writing quite easily. Technical questions, and questions with regard to Departments, he can answer in writing, but there are questions that have to be put verbally, and I will tell you the reason.
It is all very well to say: "Lord Mayo can go and get a question put in the Dáil," but the real truth of it is that the man whom you ask to put the question does not know anything about it; it does not interest him; he has got his own job and his own questions to look after, and therefore it does not interest him. You may give in a typewritten brief, but that is read out in an informal sort of manner. It impresses nobody. The whole thing is, on the surface of it, done to please his friends and no notice may be taken of it. That is the reason I have put this down and I hope that the President and his colleagues will make arrangements to answer questions. We "respectfully request the President and his colleagues to make arrangements." You may call up spirits from the vasty deep, but the question is, will they come? Therefore, I should like to put it a great deal stronger, but as you think that the word "respectfully" should be used, I agree that it is perhaps more dignified as a Senator that I should put the motion in that way, and I hope the Seanad will agree with me and my idea. I should like to have the words "verbally or in writing," because there, at all events, if the Minister does agree to answer a question he can do it verbally or in writing. I do not think I need say anything further on the subject. I feel very strongly that we are here in the air with regard to these questions. I know they are very busy in the Dáil. I know they have a great deal to do, but I think that now and then that they might pay us a visit and answer important questions.
