MISSION TO U.S.A.
The PRESIDENT, resuming, said they would quite understand that he spent last month in getting conversant with the various branches of activity. He went to America, as they all knew, with certain objects. Amongst these was that of defeating the League of Nations and the launching of the Loan in the United States. He also had before him to endeavour to secure recognition of the Republic. He then gave an account of his activities in America. He assured them that the Irish movement was three times as strong to-day in America as when he went there first. There was one motion he would like to make with reference to a matter which arose out of this debate. In the Minutes of a Dáil Meeting which had been captured and published by the enemy, the names of certain individuals of a foreign country had been mentioned in the Report of the Minister for Foreign Affairs. He did not think it was right or fair that the names of any individuals should be mentioned in their Reports, and he moved a resolution:—
"That as a confidential Report of the Minister for Foreign Affairs in which the names of American Citizens appeared, had been found published by the British, it is the will of the Dáil that the names be expunged from that Report."
LIAM MELLOWES (Galway, East and Meath, North) seconded.
The MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS said he was quite willing to have the names struck out.
The PRESIDENT said he was sure it was the sense of this Meeting that the names should disappear from the Report, and that the Report be accepted minus the names.
The resolution was passed unanimously.
The House here adjourned for lunch at 1.15 p.m.
The Session was resumed at 2.30, and the CHAIRMAN asked the President to continue his statement on America which was unfinished at the adjournment.
The PRESIDENT then outlined the remainder of his activities in connection with the launching of the Loan and the new organisation for recognition of the Irish Republic.
The ACTING SPEAKER then asked if any member wished to discuss any point or put any questions to the President.
M.P. COLIVET (Limerick City) said Russia seemed to be the most favourable nation that they could hope to get recognition from. The Minister for Foreign Affairs mentioned the last day that they had failed to get in touch there. He would like to hear if there was any hope that recognition could be obtained from it.
The PRESIDENT replied they had been in touch with representatives from Russia. At present that country wanted to get in with a large manufacturing nation like United States, America, England or Germany as necessary for her own development, and he did not think they could expect much support from Russia. The position was changing.
They had started a Self-Determination League in Canada and were making a beginning in Australia. All these Leagues were good for was spreading Propaganda and raising money, and that was the intention in starting them.
The ACTING SPEAKER said as there was no desire to discuss further the President's statement, they would get on with the Reports. They had only three hours, and as Home Affairs, Finance, and Local Government would take a long time, he suggested there was no necessity to read those that had been circulated. If the Ministers would direct notice to the important points and the Teachtaì would concentrate on the points on which they required information it would economise time. He then called upon the Minister for Home Affairs to make his report.