asked the Minister for Finance whether it is true, as reported in the public Press, that the Western Union Cable Company of U.S.A., or other cable company, has recently been refused permission to land or connect its cables in Valentia or other territory of the Saorstát; and, if so, why such permission has been refused, and by whom; also what loss of revenue, if any, the Free State has suffered by reason of the refusal of this permission.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - IRISH CABLE CONNECTIONS.
Following the refusal of the British Post Office to allow the Western Union Telegraph Company to lay a new cable from Havre to Penzance, the Company in July, 1926, applied to the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs for permission to divert one of their existing Penzance-Valentia cables from Penzance to Havre, thus making it a Valentia-Havre cable. The Attorney-General advised that in view of Clause 2 (a) of the Annex to the Treaty the proposal could only be proceeded with in agreement with the British Government and as it was not found possible to arrive at an agreement with that Government, the permission sought was refused. There is no loss of revenue involved.
Nach fior é gur chaill an Stát airgead mar gheall ar seo?
As the State does not provide for an interpreter, and as I presume the Deputy knows the English language, when he puts the supplementary question in that language I will answer him.