asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will lay before the Dáil the correspondence which took place between the British Government and the Government of Saorstát Eireann concerning the settlement of claims under Article X of the Treaty.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Article X Treaty Claims.
In this statement in the House on the 20th February, the Minister for Finance gave full details as to the nature of the settlement arrived at for dealing with claims under Article X of the Treaty and of the circumstances which led up to that settlement. The correspondence that has taken place with the British Government would add nothing substantial to the material information already before the House, and, in any case, I do not consider that the publication of the correspondence in this difficult matter is desirable.
Does the Minister not agree, in view of the statement the Minister for Finance made on a former occasion as to the attitude of the Government towards the claims and the decision of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, that the correspondence which passed between the Minister for External Affairs or the Minister for Finance, who according to Mr. Churchill was the negotiator, and the British Exchequer should be laid upon the Table in order that we may test the fidelity with which the Minister for Finance has kept to his former declaration.
I am not sure if I understand the Deputy aright, when I take it that he alleges the Minister for Finance said the correspondence would be published.
No.
The Deputy does not make that statement. The correspondence will not be published. One hesitates to add to the disappointment which the Deputy has already had.
Secrecy is necessary to cover the surrender.
When the Deputy can point out where the surrender is, we can discuss the question of the surrender, but facts are facts.