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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 17 Dec 1931

Vol. 40 No. 24

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Emigration Permit Refused.

asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that Patrick Byrne, late of 91 Townsend Street, Dublin, applied for a permit to leave for America, and that such permission was refused under Refusal No. 1079 (Police District, Dublin; Local Record No. 77), dated 12th May, 1922; and if he will state the reason for the refusal.

I have no information regarding the case of Mr. Byrne. Emigration permits were, I understand, issued before the Truce by a branch of the Dáil Eireann Ministry of Home Affairs. This branch continued to function for some time after the Treaty, but when it was finally dissolved the records did not come into the custody of my Department. I do not think that any useful purpose would now be served by attempting to trace them.

Would the Minister be able to say if an authentic document is sent to the Department of Justice proving the authenticity of what this man says the case will be dealt with?

To what purpose?

For the purpose of verifying the accuracy of the man's claim.

For what purpose?

For the purpose of taking the man out of the position he is in and getting him employment. Is the Minister not aware that this man sold a farm in order to leave for America, and that he was prohibited from doing so? His funds were spent in order to maintain himself here, and at present he is in the poor-house. He is entitled to some redress at least, so that he may be able to get some employment, and for that purpose would the Minister establish the fact that the claim is accurate and correct?

This question is the beginning of a very long tale.

I do not think this is the place for it at all.

In order to deny the man justice the Department will not facilitate him by satisfying itself as to the accuracy of his statement, so that he can never hope for justice.

The view of the Department of Justice is that it sees that no useful purpose can be served by attempting to establish now why a person was refused a permit to go to America in 1922. That is the position.

The attitude of the Department for the last few years, as the Minister is probably aware, is that they could not trace anything in connection with the refusal of the permit. I have the original documents and I can give them to the Minister to prove what is stated in the question. If the Minister will confirm them something might be done in order to get even the merest justice for this man in his native country, which he was prohibited leaving for a reason that I do not know and that the Minister does not know, but which possibly was the policy of the Government at the time.

It seems to be a question for the Labour Exchange.

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