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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 17 Jun 1919

Vol. F No. 9

DEBATES ON REPORTS.

Mr. MACENTEE (Monaghan S.) felt that important decisions were arrived at in consultation with the American Commission—decisions with which Members should be acquainted. He asked whether it were true that Mr. Ryan's return to America was due to a slight he received either in America or in Paris?
Mr. MACDONAGH (Tipperary N.) asked why the President went abroad, and who sent the Member for South Roscommon to America, and for what purpose?
Mr. MACCABE (Sligo S.) enquired whether any steps had been taken to co-ordinate this movement with movements in India and other places where there is discontent against English domination?
COUNT PLUNKETT (Roscommon N.), in reply said that great difficulties had to be faced in Paris owing to the hostility of the French Press Censorship. These difficulties had in great measure been overcome. They had secured the aid of certain French Publicists, notably M. Treguiez, whose writings were of great service to the Irish cause. The American Commission had come to Ireland to be advised by the Ministry regarding policy, and had returned to Paris with definite instructions that the demand of Ireland was an Irish Republic. Mr. Ryan had, as far as his information went, returned to America to report to the American people on the state of Ireland, and on the general progress of his mission.
The Deputy for South Roscommon had been sent to the United States to co-ordinate the activities of the various Irish Societies in America, and to pave the way for the establishment of consular relations.
They were working in harmony with the other subject nations of the British Empire, but great care was being taken that the cause of Ireland was not jeopardised in any way.
The ACTING-PRESIDENT, replying to further questions, reminded the Dáil of the necessity of secrecy in matters such as the despatch of envoys abroad. The fact that the envoys had arrived proved that the secret was well kept. The whole Italian Press had now come round to the side of Ireland. Mr. Walsh, one of the American Commission, said that Ireland was making more noise than all the other small nations combined. The Irish Delegates to the Peace Conference had entered a caveat against England's attempt to sign the Peace Treaty on behalf of Ireland, and at a later date a demand for recognition of the Irish Republic would be made on the nations of the world. There was no alliance between India, Egypt, and Ireland. They were working in co-operation, but the Dáil was the only body competent to make alliances.
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