asked the Minister for Defence whether his attention has been drawn to the newspaper report that Army Officers from the Irish Free State are to attend a course of lectures at the War School set up by the British War Office known as the College of Defence and that one great result which is hoped to result is the formation of an Empire General Staff, and whether the report is correct that officers of the National Army have attended this school, and whether it is his intention to make any statement of policy to the Dáil on this subject.
PRIVATE NOTICE QUESTIONS. - TRAINING OF ARMY OFFICERS.
TOMAS MAC EOIN
I have seen a newspaper report somewhat on the lines indicated by the Deputy. It does not mention that officers of our Army have attended a College of Defence. They have not. The matter has not been considered.
The report I refer to said that officers from the Irish Free State will attend. Am I to understand from the Minister that this is not a matter on which a decision has been come to, and that it is not the intention of the Military Defence Forces here to send officers to this College?
The matter has never been considered. No communication has been received, and beyond a newspaper report, which, so far as it goes, is quite inaccurate, I have no information whatever about the matter.