Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 31 Oct 1923

Vol. 5 No. 8

CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. [ORAL ANSWERS.] - IMPERIAL CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS.

Mr. CONNOR HOGAN

asked the President whether his attention had been drawn to the report of the Imperial Conference proceedings, as published in the Irish Press on the 13th inst., and attributing to the Minister for Education the following statement:—

"If the League of Nations required a certain duty to be done, a certain amount of pressure, in whatever form desired, to be applied, I am perfectly certain that the nation for which I sit here would not be behind in doing that duty."

Whether this declaration was in substance correct, and if so does it express the sentiments of the Government.

MINISTER for HOME AFFAIRS (Mr. K. O'Higgins) (for the President)

The League of Nations is charged with the maintenance of world-peace so far as this laudable object can be attained by the influences at its disposal. In any efforts which may be made to that end, we will not fail to afford every assistance within our power and competence. This as I understand it, is the meaning of the words quoted. It must at the same time be remembered that the position of the Saorstát under Article 49 of the Constitution has been expressly preserved on its admission to the League of Nations.

Mr. CONNOR HOGAN

Arising out of the reply, will the Minister state whether the armed forces of Saorstát Eireann will be exploited in adventures where the material interests of the nation are not concerned?

Mr. KEVIN O'HIGGINS

Will the Deputy read Article 49 of the Constitution?