Vol. 17 No. 8
The following Message has been received from the Dáil:—
"Tá Dáil Eireann tar éis aontú leis na leasuithe 2 go 7 go huile do rinne Seanad Eireann ar an mBille Stroighne (Uimh. 2), 1933; tá sí tar éis diúltú do leasú 1;
le n-ar mian léi aontú Sheanad Eireann d'fháil.
Dáil Eireann has agreed to amendments 2 to 7 inclusive made by Seanad Eireann to the Cement (No. 2) Bill, 1933; it has disagreed to amendment 1;
to which the agreement of Seanad Eireann is desired."
I move:—
That the Seanad do not insist on amendment No. 1.
I second.
I am inclined to agree, the Government having declared its mind, that this is not a matter on which we ought to have a fight between the two Houses, but it does not change my point of view. I think it is a matter of very great regret that the Ministry cannot see its way to alter the decision. I am particularly interested in the fact that the proposal that the Seanad should not insist on their amendment is seconded by Senator Quirke, because at the last meeting of this House we had a long speech from Senator Quirke in which he stated that it was wrong and absolutely unfair to call Irishmen resident in the United States aliens. The Senator dealt with that at very considerable length. When it comes to a matter providing that Irishmen born in Northern Ireland who come to reside here shall have the same rights as the ordinary citizen, then we find Senator Quirke not only voting against what he urged originally but actually seconding a motion proposing that the Seanad do not insist on the amendment.
I consider there is a very great difference between the position of an Irishman who has emigrated to the United States and the position of a man who, through no fault of his own, happened to be born in an area which is partitioned. If we stand against partition, as probably every section in this House and in the other House does, we should make it as easy as possible for an Ulsterman to invest his money in Saorstát Eireann. In that way the sooner will we end partition. There is a principle involved here, but this is a relatively unimportant Bill which will I suppose only affect two or three companies. At the same time I do not see why the same facilities should not be given to persons born in the Six Counties as to others. In relation to industry they are put in a worse position than others. We describe them as citizens but we place them in a worse position than was intended under the Constitution. I can see certain difficulties in allowing persons who still reside in the Six Counties the same facilities as persons who come here to reside, and having to wait five years before being placed in the same position as a person from any other country. However, this being the decision of the Dáil, and the Bill being relatively unimportant, I do not think we should insist on this amendment. But, on the next opportunity, when another Bill dealing with the same principle comes before us, we should assert our decision, if the House is still of the same opinion.
While I do not wish to make political propaganda I regret very much that the present Government are acting in an entirely different spirit to that of the previous Government towards the people of the Six Counties. One of the Acts dealing with the Civil Service definitely states that all Irishmen are eligible for admission to the Civil Service here. I do not know of any Act passed by the previous Government which enshrined the principle that has been introduced by the proposal in this Bill. We had during the present régime the Control of Manufactures Bill and the Cement Bill by which people born in the Six Counties are cut out. To my mind that is perpetuating partition. That is a principle for which I cannot stand. I want to work for the independence of the whole country and, if the Government of the Six Counties do wrong—and they are doing wrong every day—that is no reason why we should follow their example. No matter what our politics we should work for the unity and independence of Ireland.
As one who had the misfortune, through no fault of his own, to be born within the area now known as the Six Counties I object to the principle enshrined in this Bill. I object to partition. Partition was forced upon us under circumstances over which we had no control. It is wrong to put our seal upon it. I cannot understand the attitude of the present Government in adopting this line. More than one Minister in the present Government, and at least one or two Ministers in the previous Government were born in the Six Counties. The attitude that the present Government has adopted is most illogical and is wrong. I cannot see any reason why this House, or the other House, should adopt such a line of action. We object to partition but, at the same time we support it by the proposals in this Bill. I strongly object to that, and I will do everything I can to oppose such action. Incidentally I am very glad to see the Minister for Industry and Commerce sufficiently restored to health to be here to-day.
I would like to ask the Minister if the deduction to be drawn is that it is the influence of the present Minister for Finance and the Minister for Lands and Fisheries in the affairs of Saorstát Eireann that makes this objection.
And the Minister for Defence.
