FROM THE ARCHIVES:The first political/financial scandal after Independence was revealed two years later with the publication of accusations by an English financier, Andrew Belton, against the writer and Sinn Féin activist, and later Independent TD, Darrell Figgis. This is the start of Belton's lengthy letter of claims, which were denied by Figgis. – J
OE JOYCE
‘ON JANUARY 29th, 1922, I attended a meeting of the Commission of Inquiry into the Resources of Ireland at the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin. I explained to the Committee certain views that I held on the economic development of Ireland, and also expressed very clearly my desire to participate in this development, both from a financial and a contracting point of view. Mr. Figgis, who appeared to dominate the Committee, told me that the time was not yet opportune for these proposals to be considered, but that a Minister of Reconstruction would be appointed in the next Cabinet, and if I would communicate with him (Mr. Figgis) a few weeks later at 24 Kildare street, Dublin, he would arrange for the matter to go before the Minister of Reconstruction.
“On a subsequent visit during the month of March, I met Mr. Darrell Figgis in the hall of the Shelbourne Hotel. He said he had intended writing to me, but that now, having met me, he wanted to say that he had been giving my proposals very serious thought, and was of the opinion that a great deal could be accomplished. He stated that, working on the lines I had suggested to the Committee, as far as possible the direction of affairs should be in the hands of Irishmen. He suggested that he could be of invaluable service in this capacity, stating that it had come to his knowledge that some of the members of the Government were not above making money commercially, and he thought he might just as well follow their example and make money out of the unique knowledge which he possessed regarding the resources of Ireland.
“I met him again on the following day, when he suggested that an agreement should be made between us, the understanding being that he would bring to my notice various projects which required financing and developing, and that in return for the influence which he could use with the Government to assist these projects he would receive a half-share in any profits which I personally made from their flotation. On my return to London I sent him a memo, in which I stated that in consideration of the influence which he could use with the Government, and of his assisting generally in the carrying out of these projects, he would share equally with me in any profits He, however, returned this document, stating that the question of his influence with the Government did not arise, and when I met him again on the 25th March, 1922, he stated it was not policy to embody such a thing in a document, and that that part of the agreement would have to be understood between us.”