REPORTS AND MINISTERIAL MOTIONS. - DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
The ASSOCIATE SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (COUNT PLUNKETT) in the course of an oral statement, dwelt on the nature of the recent dispute between certain people in America and the President. These people thought that they in America had a right to dictate the policy of the Republic. The President naturally held a different view. The Irish Cause could not be used as a lever by any particular parties or politicians in America. The trouble was now practically over. The President was sure of his ground, and the greater volume of Irish opinion in the United States had rallied to his support.
In Italy Mr. Hales was continuing his work. Mr. Gavan Duffy was still at Paris, and for some time Mr. Sean T. O'Kelly had been successfully combatting English intrigues in Rome. Slow progress was being made in the organisation of relations between the Republic and Austria and Germany. The manufactures which Ireland might be able to get from these countries were treated by England as "key" industries and therefore could not be imported into Ireland.
P. O MAILLE (Connemara) asked (1) What likelihood there was of Mr. O'Kelly's returning to take up his duties as Secretary of the Gaelie League? and (2) If the letter of resignation of Mr. Diarmuid Lynch had been received by the Dáil?
The DEPUTY SPEAKER, replying to the second query, said that it was clear that copies of the letter had been supplied to the Dublin Press. Two copies had also been sent to himself. Mr. Lynch's letter had been read to the House that morning before the member for Connemara arrived.
The ACTING-PRESIDENT, replying to the first query, said that Mr. O'Kelly was ill at present, and had been ordered to take a few months' rest. He did not think that he would be home for some time as he was still required at Rome. Of course if his health did not improve he would very likely have to come home.
CATHAL BRUGHA (Waterford County) said that Mr. O'Kelly should be consulted in the matter before a definite reply could be given.
T. MACSUIBHNE (Cork Mid.) moved the adoption of the Report of the Department for Foreign Affairs.
J.J. WALSH (Cork City) said that it was time that the Dáil took steps to have vacancies in their body filled. He asked for further details regarding Mr. Lynch's letter, and as to what policy, if any, had been adopted towards Russia.
W. SEARS (Mayo South) asked if it were possible to get into touch with M. Krassin, the Russian Delegate in London?
The ASSOCIATE SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (COUNT PLUNKETT) in reply, stated that the question of getting into communication with Russia was under consideration.
SEAN MAC AN TSAOI (Monaghan South) asked if no effort had been made to avail of the opportunity to get into touch with the representative of the Russian State at present in London?
The ACTING-PRESIDENT stated that their American Mission had been in touch with Russia. They were also arranging to get into touch with the Delegate from the Russian Republic in London.
LIAM DE ROISTE (Cork City) asked what was the position with regard to Austria and other countries?
The ASSOCIATE SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (COUNT PLUNKETT) stated that in the case of Austria they were trying to establish a friendly understanding, and that matters were going on satisfactorily.
The ACTING-PRESIDENT promised that in future Reports from this Department each country would be dealt with separately.
The Report was then put and agreed to.