asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will state (1) if the question of national defence (by sea and land) has ever been raised with Britain during the past five years, or have any negotiations been entered into in that period respecting the position of the Irish ports and habours mentioned in the Treaty, and such matters of international importance as the new air base at Rhynana and the oil refinery in Dublin; and (2) has the question of the setting up of a subsidiary Free State Navy ever been mentioned in such conversations or negotiations, and, if so, with what result.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Defence.
The defence of Saorstát Eireann in relation to the taking over of the ports has from time to time been mentioned broadly in informal conversations. No negotiations relating thereto have taken place. As I have said here recently, we cannot organise a reasonably adequate system of defence in this country until the ambiguity caused by the occupation of our ports has been removed. The airport and the oil refinery represent a normal stage in our national economic development. Their defence in time of war would be a part of ordinary domestic routine, and it has not been referred to in any conversation. The creation of a Naval Defence Force is part of the general problem of our national defence. It will only become a practical issue when the general problem has been solved. It has not been the subject of any discussion between the two countries.