asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will state whether the British Minister in Mexico City represents the Government of Saorstát Eireann, and whether the Irish Government is in any way responsible for his attitude and actions in public matters.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - BRITISH MINISTER IN MEXICO.
The position of the Saorstát Government with regard to representation in Mexico City is similar to its position with regard to its representation in all foreign capitals with which it has no permanent direct diplomatic or semi-diplomatic channel of intercourse. If and when it desires to communicate with them it requests the British Foreign Office to act through the British representatives accredited to the Governments concerned. This usage does not give to British Ministers abroad the character of representatives of the Saorstát, and the Saorstát Government has accordingly no control whatever over their attitude or actions in public matters.
Will the Minister consider the desirability of accrediting our Minister at Washington to Mexico so that if necessary he could make representations there?
That could be considered, but the value of such a step would be very small considering the distance from Mexico of the Minister, who is ordinarily resident in Washington.
Would a question of that nature not have to be first considered by the British Cabinet?
What nature? The Deputy does not know what he is talking about.
The appointment of a Minister to Mexico?
Not at all.