DEPARTMENT OF PROPAGANDA.
The SUBSTITUTE DIRECTOR OF PROPAGANDA, in the course of his Report, stated that the object of his Department was to enlighten the unenlightened, but he was quite willing to send copies of the "Bulletin" to the Deputies. As regards Propaganda in England, it was directed towards those who were likely to influence public opinion there. Propaganda in that country was very urgent, and he was in communication with the Irish Organisations there. He had already suggested the establishment of a Propaganda Bureau in Geneva, and the importance of such a bureau was being borne home on him more and more every day. The establishment of the Continental Bureau was largely a question of money.
Propaganda in the English Colonies was occupying his mind at the moment, and he hoped to be able to get into touch with Australia through the agency of Dr. Mannix. In this way a new system of warfare might be created against England. One of his reasons for advocating the establishment of a headquarters in Europe was to co-ordinate the efforts of all those who were friendly to Ireland.
The publicity given to the case of Ireland owing to the treatment of the Lord Mayor of Cork was the largest yet attained. It was so great that foreign journalists thought that the Irish Government spent millions of money on propaganda in other countries. The only weapons being used were the strength and truth of their cause. The value of the advent of so many journalists to Ireland lap in the fact that they returned firmly convinced of the iniquity of the British occupation. Dublin Castle had found it necessary to reorganise its whole propaganda system. He was of opinion that the Republican propaganda campaign would continue to carry more and more weight outside Ireland.
M. STAINES (St. Michan's, Dublin) moved the adoption of the Report. He was glad to know that their propaganda rested on truth.
R.J. MULCAHY (Clontarf) seconded the motion.
J. MACDONAGH (Tipperary North) thought that the results achieved by the Self-Determination League in England were negligible as far as Ireland was concerned. The leaders there seemed to approach all questions with an air of hopelessness. He believed that the Propaganda Department in England required a complete reorganisation. There was a tremendous number of Irish people in England who would be of great help if they were only got at in the proper manner.
The SUBSTITUTE DIRECTOR OF PROPAGANDA pointed out that the Self-Determination League in England was not a branch of his Department. He was, however, doing his best to assist the efforts of the League along the right lines.
J. MACENTEE (Monaghan South) suggested that the Director of Propaganda enter into such negotiations as would enable him to utilise the Self-Determination League for conducting propaganda in England. A special edition of the "Bulletin" should be printed and circulated there.
The SUBSTITUTE DIRECTOR OF PROPAGANDA having stated that he had already tried to carry out all that had been suggested, it was decided, on the motion of the ACTING-PRESIDENT, that the wishes of the Dáil regarding propaganda in England be conveyed to the Convention of the Self-Determination League which, was to assemble at an early date.
The motion that the Report be adopted was then put and carried.
At this point the Deputy for South Meath resumed the Chair.