asked the Minister for External Affairs whether Saorstat Eireann will be represented at the Imperial Conference to be held in London this year, and, if so, by whom.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Representation at Imperial Conference
I have nothing to add to the replies given to the Deputy in answer to a similar question on the 31st March.
Am I to understand that the Executive Council has not yet made up its mind whether it intends to be represented at the Imperial Conference or not?
I think the Deputy is going a little too far in that. The question is that the necessity for a decision would only arise in case the circumstances were such that the interests of the State would be served by going there.
The Minister for External Affairs informed me on a previous occasion that the matter had not been determined. In answer to a supplementary question, he subsequently said that he could not imagine it would appear to any member of the House to be in the best interests of this State that we should be represented at the Imperial Conference in existing circumstances. We are now within a fortnight of the date of the Imperial Conference, and surely we must have come to some decision as to whether, in fact, we are going to be represented or not. If so, surely it is legitimate for a Deputy to inquire of the President what the position is?
I have not suggested that it was improper for the Deputy to ask such questions at all. I simply say that the necessity for a decision would only arise in case the circumstances were such as would make it desirable, in the interests of the country, that we should be represented there. These circumstances are not such, and therefore it is not necessary to take any formal decision.
So we will not be represented at the Imperial Conference?
No.
Now we have it at last. We very much regret that decision.