asked the President if he can state whether his attention has been drawn to a statement attributed to the Minister for External Affairs and published in the Irish Press on the 8th March, 1927, wherein that Minister is reported as having declared to the effect that in the eventuality of members of certain political parties in the Saorstát, who heretofore have refused allegiance to the Constitution, and have failed to comply with the provisions of Article 17 thereof, obtaining a majority amongst the elected representatives of the next Dáil, the present Government would have no option but to make way for them, whether such statement represents the considered opinion of the Executive Council, and if he can further indicate the existence of constitutional machinery enabling the Executive Council to make a transfer of function to such persons, while preserving the unity of the Oireachtas.

I have not read the statement. The Dáil is summoned to meet after the General Election. The Constitution provides for the nomination and appointment of a President of the Executive Council and Ministry. It will be for that Ministry to answer for any situation which may confront it. It is not any part of my duty to solve difficulties which may confront other political parties in the improbable eventuality of the electorate returning a majority for breaking the Treaty.

Arising out of that reply, would the President look at the "Irish Times" for the 8th March this year and read the report of the speeches of the Minister for External Affairs and the Minister for Justice?

I am sure the information is most instructive, and I presume the Deputy has benefited by it.