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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 3 May 1922

Vol. S2 No. 7

SPECIAL MISSION TO U.S.A.

Chun an Aire um Gnothaí Coigriche.
(To the Minister for Foreign Affairs).
(a) To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs what special work is being done by Mr. Denis Mac-Cullough in the United States? What remuneration, compensation, expense allowance and subsistence allowance has been or will be received.
(b) What were the reasons for the dismissal of Deputy Boland and Deputy Scán T. O Ceallaigh?— Joseph MacDonagh (North Tipperary).

Mr. Harry Boland and Mr. Seán T. O Ceallaigh were relieved of their respective diplomatic appointments because they had identified themselves (and that in the most public manner in writing) with active party propaganda against the Government which it was their duty to serve. Each of them, in view of his long service, was given the opportunity of resigning and refused it. Mr. Boland's appointment was terminated on February 16th and Mr. O'Ceallaigh's appointment a month later, an extension of time having been given to him to wind up his affairs in Paris. Mr. Denis M'Cullough's special mission to the U.S.A. was to see what could be done to heal the disastrous divisions which are preventing our people in America from pulling their full weight. He is also instructed to counteract Orange propaganda in America. He is quite exceptionally well qualified for both missions, for I have known him as a strong Republican in Belfast since at least as early as 1906 and his fine record is very well known to all the best of our people in the States. He went at the greatest personal inconvenience. He is to be away for three months, and besides travelling and sustenance expenses he has received a sum of £1,000 as indemnity in respect of his business during his absence and an honorarium of £250

I would ask, as a supplementary question, is it not a fact that Mr. James O'Mara, when he went over to America, being a representative of the majority here sent over for pro-Treaty purposes, boasted publicly he had succeed in turning the issue here into a dog fight?

That is evidently not a supplementary question.

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