asked the Minister for External Affairs whether the Government of Saorstát Eireann will be represented at the Imperial Conference scheduled to take place in London this year, and, if so, by whom.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Imperial Conference.
I have nothing to add to the reply given to the Deputy in answer to a similar question on the 17th February.
Arising out of the reply of the Minister for External Affairs, can he inform the House in view of the fact that we are about to adjourn for Easter, when the Executive Council expects to make up its mind in regard to this matter?
The question of making up its mind does not arise.
Arising out of the reply of the Minister for External Affairs, in the event of his sending a representative to the Imperial Conference, will he warn that representative that any acquiescence in a common policy in foreign affairs with the other members of the Commonwealth of Nations will be regarded by the Opposition in this country as a proof of sub servience to Great Britain!
That is a sepa rate question.
Arising out of the——
It is a separate question.
On the original question, Sir, will the Minister for External Affairs say why the question of the Government's making up its mind does not arise?
And will the President think of nominating Deputy MacDermot for the position?
asked the Minister for External Affairs whether any preparatory work has been done by the Departments of State of Saorstát Eireann with a view to preparing the ground for the making of trade agreements between this country and the other States members of the Commonwealth of Nations, on the occasion of the Imperial Conference to be held in London this year.
The trade relations between Saorstát Eireann and the States members of the Commonwealth are constantly under review in the Departments concerned and are the subject of frequent correspondence with those States. The presence of Ministers and officials of the Dominions will be availed of for discussing trade matters should the time appear opportune for that purpose.
The Deputy is no doubt aware that the negotiation of trade agreements amongst the States of the Commonwealth concerns only the States immediately involved. The recent conclusion of a trade treaty between Great Britain and Canada and the negotiations between the latter country and Australia indicate that these States do not consider an Imperial Conference a suitable occasion for making trade agreements.
Are we to understand that the Minister for External Affairs contemplates entering into trade negotiations with Ministers from the States members of the Commonwealth of Nations in London and, at the same time, not attending the Imperial Conference to be held in London at the same time?
I have nothing to add, as my reply contains everything that is necessary.
Is it the President's position that he will not tell Dáil Eireann what the Executive Council's intentions are in regard to this matter?
I have said in my reply that the presence of Ministers and officials of the Dominions will be availed of for discussing trade matters should the time appear opportune for that purpose, and I can add nothing to that.
Two questions, Sir, have been set out on the Order Paper to-day with a view to ascertaining what this State is going to do in connection with the forthcoming Imperial Conference. The Executive Council, it would appear, must have made up its mind, one way or the other, as to what it is going to do at the Imperial Conference next May, in six weeks' time. Is it the President's position that he will not tell Dáil Eireann what are the intentions of the Executive Council in the matter, and, if so, why?
I have told the Deputy and Dáil Eireann and the country, and everybody who read the reply, on a previous occasion, that a decision had not been taken, and that is the present position.
Why does the President continue to wobble in this matter? Cannot he make up his mind what to do, one way or the other?
Because on the Government rests the responsibility for dealing with these things in a proper manner. I have said that there is no need for doing so, and, therefore, it has not been done.