On behalf of Deputy J.A. Costello, I desire to ask the Taoiseach whether he will state if and when he proposes to make a statement to the Dáil on the discussions which have taken place this week between Irish and British Ministers.
Private Notice Question. - London Conference.
The agreed official statement which was published at the conclusion of the conversations gave a fair summary of the proceedings. These conversations were arranged to give an opportunity to the representatives of the two countries to exchange information and views on financial and trade matters that were of mutual interest. They did not go any further. It would not be proper for me, I think, to give the information supplied or the views expressed by the British Ministers in these discussions. On their part, the Irish Ministers gave information concerning the balance of payments position and Government policy on the same lines as those which were given in the Dáil and in the country during the last few months. They took the opportunity to stress the value of the contribution towards a solution of these problems which could be made by improved deliveries of certain classes of goods from Britain. Arising out of this, it was stated by the British representatives that the planned deliveries of coal during 1952 would not fall below the minimum which was provided for in the Trade Agreement of 1948. As that is a full statement really of what happened, I do not think there is any need for any further statement or that any purpose would be served by any further statement.
Do I understand from the Taoiseach that it is not the intention of the Taoiseach or of the Government to make a statement to the House following these discussions as to what is anticipated is likely to be the effect of any decision arrived at on the improvement of our economy here or on——
As I pointed out, it was a question of an exchange of views and information and did not proceed any further. There were, consequently, no decisions of the sort that the Deputy seems to have in mind. No decisions of that kind were arrived at. Consequently, it is a question, having got the information and heard the views, for each country to pursue the line which it thinks best in its own interest.
Could the Taoiseach say whether the Government have come to any conclusions as to what main impact whatever they have ascertained is likely to have on the development of the country's economy?
Every piece of information and any views that are of value will naturally be taken into account by the Government in developing their policy, but there is nothing immediate to be done in connection with the matter.
Are we to understand that very important and vitally concentrated conferences having taken place in London of the representatives of the Commonwealth on the sterling position, the results of these conferences having been discussed and communicated to the Government here through the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Industry and Commerce, the Government have nothing to say to the country generally or to the Dáil on the situation immediately following the discussions? The Taoiseach will understand that a very considerable amount of interest and anxiety has been created in the country recently in relation to these talks. Even if it is only a statement which will cover such an amount of ground as will allay the anxiety in the minds of the people and the Dáil, a formal statement covering as much ground as is possible to be covered ought to be made to the House.
I do not know what the Deputy is really driving at. The result of the conversations and the views that were exchanged has simply had the effect of confirming us in the views that we already had in regard to certain matters and, in so far as the time for action develops, it has not changed us in the slightest. There was no need for any public anxiety. Certainly nothing that the government did gave rise to anxiety.
There was an attempt made by certain people to try to create public anxiety. The fact is that these discussions were confined to an exchange of views and to the giving of information on matters of common interest. It was stated here that the sterling position was a matter of interest to us. As any Deputy who knows anything about the matter knows, it is a matter of interest to us. It is also a matter of interest to the British and to any others in the sterling group. There is no nation within that group which is compelled to take any particular action except that which it thinks wise in its own interest. The more information one gets on these matters the better. If you have studied the matter carefully, you will understand that it is not likely on these fundamental matters that you will get a great deal of information which is not fairly common property.
Might I ask the Taoiseach (1) whether any new agreement was made or projected either in respect of foodstuffs or in respect of trade during these talks; and (2)——
One at a time please.
I may not get an opportunity of putting a second supplementary question. Has Britain agreed, for example, to make dollars available to us from the dollar pool reserve in respect of purchases which we may find it necessary to make in the dollar area; (3) has Britain suggested that we, like Britain, are to reduce the allowances which we make to tourists going overseas; (4) is it proposed this year to make a new trade agreement with Britain or was that fact discussed at the conference?
All this really arises out of a particular statement. It does not arise out of the question.
I cannot keep all the questions asked by the Deputy in mind. I shall try to answer them if the Deputy helps me.
I submit the Deputies have a legitimate right to ask supplementary questions if the Taoiseach does not intend to make a statement and give a proper occasion for discussion.
Fortunately or unfortunately, the Chair is the sole authority as to the number of supplementary questions.
We are always very happy to receive a respectful submission.
May I intervene again?
I am prepared to answer Deputy Norton's questions if he will help me.
I will give the key one —the dollar pool.
What is the first one?
The dollar pool.
What does that mean?
You were a nice representative to send over. I knew that tragedy would befall us once you were there.
Will the Deputy be good enough to repeat his questions?
Has Britain indicated that she will make dollars available to us from the dollar pool if we find it necessary to draw on the dollar reserve for purchases in the dollar area?
There, again, the questions are all based on a wrong assumption. They bring up the question of an agreement. As I have already told the Dáil, there was no question of an agreement and that ought to dispose of that.
It is not a question of a new agreement.
There is no question of agreement unless the one in the past.
There was no suggestion of any change as far as I know.
Britain being the banker of sterling, will she make more dollars available?
That would be an agreement. Again, I can only tell the Dáil that there was no agreement arrived at. This was confined to an exchange of information and to an expression of views.
Have we decided to make no new agreement with Britain with respect to the provision of additional food and trade matters?
No agreement of any kind. Can I say more?
Order of business.
Would the Chair allow me to intervene again for the purpose of pleading with the Taoiseach? The Taoiseach has intimated that the discussions confirm him and confirm the Government in certain things they believe. Would the Taoiseach review the situation and make a statement as to the things that they are now convinced of in relation to the situation here?
When action is required that will be made by the Government in due course. If the members of the Opposition think that there is any slowness in dealing with any of these positions or explaining the Government's views on these positions they can put down a resolution, but it does not arise, as I have told the Dáil, directly out of those conversations which were no more than an exchange of information and views.
Order of business.
The information will be dragged out of the Government by questions.
We did not undertake to drown them with eggs.