I beg to draw attention to the fact that it is twenty-five minutes to twelve, and we were supposed to be here at eleven. We are playing with ourselves and with the people. We ought to face the issue fairly and squarely and not be hedging. The people believe we are humbugging them. Finish the whole thing up.
Prelude
[The House at the public meeting of 5th January, 1922, decided to sit in private on the following morning.]
Dáil Éireann assembled in private session. The Deputy Speaker took the Chair at 11.35 a.m.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER
There has just come a message from the Speaker regretting his inability to attend here owing to illness. That is the cause of delay.
What time did the message come?
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER
I got it five minutes ago. Now we shall have the report of this Committee.