asked the Taoiseach if he will state how many meetings of the Cabinet sub-committee referred to by him in his reply to the recent debate on the Estimate for his Department have been held in each of the calendar years 1948, 1949 and 1950 (up to July 1st).
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cabinet Sub-Committee.
Mr. de Valera
It is in accordance with principle and general practice of governments to refuse to disclose in public even the functions or the composition of Cabinet committees. This principle is founded upon the collective responsibility of the Government and upon the fact that the internal arrangements which may be made by Ministers for discussion among themselves are essentially a domestic matter and no concern of Parliament or the public.
In exceptional circumstances and on a particular occasion, I mentioned, during the course of my reply to the debate on the Estimate for my Department on the 14th instant, the fact that a Cabinet committee had been established by the Government in October, 1948, and, in reply to the inquiry addressed to me by the Deputy after the conclusion of the debate on that date, I supplied him, from recollection, with the personnel of the committee. In view of the general principle and practice to which I have referred, I am not prepared to disclose any further details such as those requested by the Deputy in regard to the functioning of this—or any other— Cabinet committee.
Mr. de Valera
I am not objecting to the principle.
Why did you ask the question so?
Mr. de Valera
Because of questions previously answered.