asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will state whether he will obtain and make available in the Library of the Oireachtas the full text of the speech made by the Minister for Finance at the assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, and reported in the daily Press on the 28th November, 1951, and if he will state whether this speech represents the attitude of the Government.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Minister's Strasbourg Speech.
In accordance with the usual practice, the full reports of the Council of Europe will be placed in the Library when they reach my Department. The speech of the Minister for Finance will then be found in the report for the 27th November.
The Minister stated his views on the matters under discussion: the European Army and European Federation. In this connection he referred to the Irish attitude to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. While according to the rules, a delegate to the assembly cannot speak formally on behalf of the Government of his country, the Minister's views may be regarded as generally representing the views of his colleagues in the Government on these matters.
Am I right in thinking that it was in this speech, at least as reported in the Irish Times, I think exclusively, that the Minister unburdened himself of his views regarding the British Commonwealth and the pride of the Irish people in the British Commonwealth?
I think perhaps the Deputy was looking at the wrong issue of the Irish Times.
Is it the same speech?
Because the Deputy himself spoke about the "millions of our people who have made their homes in Britain and the Commonwealth countries," and that "we largely share the same ideas, the same democracy and the same way of life." He talked about "not only of the ties of friendship and kinship but the long-established traditions, the economic, social and trade arrangements based on a common interest." I think the Deputy was, therefore, reading the Irish Times about the 27th November, 1948.
Was that speech made on the advice of Deputy Killilea?