asked the Minister for Finance whether, as stated by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the House of Commons on the 27th ultimo, the British Government had refused to take back at their face value all the British coins now in circulation in Saorstát Eireann; if so, what were the arguments advanced in justification of such refusal; did the Minister acknowledge the validity of those arguments; and, arising out of the refusal, what agreement or agreements were subsequently entered into with the British Government for the repatriation (a) of the British silver coins, and (b) of the British bronze coins now in circulation in Saorstát Eireann?
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - British Coins in Saorstát.
As indicated by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the House of Commons, the British Government at first demurred to our proposal that they should take back at face value the British token coins now circulating in the Saorstát. I do not propose to set forth the arguments used on each side during the negotiations in connection with the matter. I have already informed the Dáil of the arrangement which has been made with the British Government regarding the return of the silver coins. Coins to the value of £150,000 will be returned before the end of April next; £60,000 will be returned in April, 1930, and £60,000 every April after 1930 up to 1939. No arrangement has been made regarding the return of British bronze coins, as there would be no appreciable loss involved in melting down and re-minting these coins.
Arising out of that reply, might I refer the Minister to a question which I put this day week, and ask him if, when a Deputy wants information regarding a matter which is of importance to the people, he has to wait until he sees the published account of the proceedings in the British House of Commons?
I could not answer that.
I put down a question to the Minister last week which was more or less in the same terms as the question which has now been answered. I received no answer to that question. It must be because of the fact that the Minister was ashamed of the arrangement which he has made.
The Deputy received an answer to the main part of the question in answer to a previous question.