TOTAL ABSTINENCE DEPUTATION.
The deputation which was then admitted consisted of Rev. Dr. Coffey, Rev. Father Aloysius, O.S.F.C., Rev. Father Murphy, S.J., Messrs. J. Mooney, A. Darley, J.P. Dunne and Rev. V.P. Steen. Rev. Dr. Coffey, who acted as spokesman, said:
"We beg to thank the Dáil very sincerely for allowing us to present a very brief statement on a very grave question. The statement I have, I can assure you, will occupy not more than two minutes. The organisation we represent is the largest body in Ireland that concerns itself with the drink evil. It comprises nearly four hundred Total Abstinence Societies, with a membership of about two hundred thousand. It is not our present purpose to make any suggestions regarding permanent legislation on the Liquor Traffic, but rather to urge the necessity for executive and administrative measures of a transitional nature to cope with a crisis. We are in touch with conditions in every part of the country, and for some time past, especially since the Truce, we have been receiving accounts of exceedingly grave and widespread drinking abuses. The facts, indeed, are notorious and alarming. (1). Dishonest traders have taken advantage of the national struggle to ply their traffic without any regard to days and hours of closing; and honest traders are powerless in the face of such unfair competition. (2) Besides, an illicit traffic in poteen-making has grown to such dimensions in many parts of the country that it is gravely demoralising the masses of the people. (3) Occasional licences are being granted too freely, with very regrettable results. We beg respectfully to submit that these and similar abuses constitute a grave national menace which calls for prompt and drastic action from Dáil Eireann. We need not labour the point. In the critical times through which our country is now passing the danger of unchecked drinking abuses must be obvious. You have the power to make such transitional provisions of an executive nature as the situation calls for, to issue summary police regulations, and insist on their enforcement, regarding days and hours of closing and the suppression of the illicit traffic; and to authorise the infliction of heavy and exemplary penalties for their infringement. It is inconceivable that there could be any division of opinion in the Dáil on the desirability, and even the urgent necessity, of such measures. Why not, then, put them in force as soon as possible. They will have the support of sound and patriotic public opinion from every class and party in the country. We invite you very earnestly to give the matter your earliest and best attention; and we thank you sincerely for allowing us to bring it under your notice."
The deputation then withdrew.
The following is the letter which the deputation sent:
"February 28th, 1922.
"To the Speaker, Dáil Eireann.
"A Chara,
A small deputation from the Executive of the Catholic Total Abstinence Federation of Ireland earnestly requests the favour of a few minutes' hearing from the Dáil for a statement on a matter of urgent public importance concerning the actual condition of the Liquor Traffic in Ireland. The Federation, with its 400 affiliated branches throughout the country, can claim to voice Irish Catholic opinion on the Drink Problem. The deputation is actually in attendance in the hope that the Dáil may find it convenient to give us just a few moments before proceeding to business, or before resuming in the afternoon.
"Very respectfully yours,
Rev. P. Coffey, Ph.D.,
Maynooth College,
President, C.T.A. Federation."