I now move the adjournment of the Dáil until 6th May. In answer to the question raised by Deputy McCarthy, I have to say that the Conference to which we were invited has not been productive of any result. All the matters proposed were discussed, but no agreement was reached, and there is no alternative to the Boundary Commission. There is nothing outstanding in the way of proceeding to business save the completion of the Commission's machinery.
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE. FINANCIAL RESOLUTIONS. - ADJOURNMENT—THE BOUNDARY CONFERENCE.
I think the Dáil would be better pleased if it received a little more information as to the actual position. We are not to meet for a week or ten days. Could the Minister tell us whether it is quite understood that the Commission will be set up, whether it will consist of two or three persons, whether there has been any definite understanding that the Northern nominee will be appointed by the Northern Government, and, if not, what will happen? If the Minister is not able to tell us that because he does not know, I think the Dáil ought to be informed of the fact that he does not know; and I think also it would be well if we had some intimation from the Minister himself as to what the intentions of the Saorstát Government are in the event of any failure to set up this Commission. I think that it would be a pity to allow the Dáil to adjourn for ten days without some further information than the Minister has given us. The country is very much interested in this matter, and those who are immediately interested are waiting to know their fate, because for many hundreds of people that is what it means. They want to know whether they are to be permanently considered within these Six Counties— within the Northern Government, or whether there is any possibility of their being brought under the Government of their choice. The general question is one that excites a great deal of interest, and I think the Dáil and the country should have a little more information, if it is at all possible to have such conveyed to us.
I would like just to ask one straight question. Is there going to be a time limit in the setting up of this Commission? Or has the Saorstát Government in their minds the intention that there will be a definite time limit in which they will insist on the setting up of this Commission?
I am not in a position to give an answer to what Deputy Johnson has stated. The Conference to which I refer, and to which I said we were invited, wound up yesterday evening, somewhere after 5 o'clock, and we arrived here this evening somewhere after half-past five. So far as I know, no meeting of any of the three Governments in question has been held since. Certainly, I can say positively, as far as this Government is concerned, no meeting has been held. Consequently, no decision has been arrived at. I have not yet received an answer from the British Government with regard to the question put by Deputy Baxter. But if it is any case to his mind, I would like to tell him that the Government appreciates the necessity for speed in this matter as much as he does, or as anybody in Ireland does, or as anybody in the Six Counties does—where they have a claim to come in here. I do not know that there is anything else I can answer on the subject. No unnecessary delay has taken place as far as we are concerned, and we have done our duty with regard to making the necessary representations to the British Government for the completion of this article of the Treaty.
I would like to ask the President whether the report of the Conference that he attended will be printed and circulated to the Deputies.
There has been no report of the Conference beyond what I have just given.
I think the Government is responsible to the Dáil on this question, and surely it is not too much to ask that the report of the Conference, which broke down, should be printed and circulated to the Deputies.
I have already explained that there is no report.
The Dáil adjourned at 11.5 p.m. until Tuesday, the 6th May.