asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state whether the Commission on Emigration is still meeting, when he expects to receive a report from it, and whether such report will be made available to Deputies.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Report of Commission on Emigration.
I am informed by the commission that it is still meeting regularly. As to when its report will be received I have nothing to add to the reply given by me to a question by Deputy Lemass on 15th February, 1950. While no decision has yet been made with regard to the availability of the report, I presume that the usual practice in such matters will be followed.
In view of the fact that it is almost two years since the commission was set up, would the Minister consider asking the commission for an interim report, or would that be practicable?
I should like to put this consideration to the Deputy: I and every member of the commission are most anxious that its deliberations should be brought to a conclusion at the earliest possible opportunity. The commission is engaged in examining some problems which have never previously been examined, namely, the problem of population and the question of the formulation of a solution for the emigration problem. The question of emigration is being examined in detail and as to the way in which it is related to other problems. The commission is a commission of distinguished citizens of high attainments in their respective spheres. They are working for the nation and are giving their services to the commission without fee or reward. Every one of them who attends meetings of the commission is making considerable personal sacrifices. I feel, therefore, that the investigation aspect of the matter is in very competent hands, and I am satisfied from discussions with the chairman of the commission that each member of the commission is anxious to conclude its investigations as soon as possible and to furnish me with a report as expeditiously as it is possible to do so. I have had discussions with the chairman of the commission in recent weeks and I am satisfied that he is endeavouring to finish the deliberation aspects of the commission's work within the next month or two and that then the commission will proceed to complete its report. Some portions of it have been already written. I think in view of these considerations that it would probably be unwise and, in the long run, it would be fruitless to ask at this stage for an interim report, seeing that, by all accounts, we are not very far from getting a complete report.