asked the Minister for External Affairs if he is aware that the flags of England and Australia, which were publicly flown during Congress Week in honour of the prominent Church dignitaries and other pilgrims from those countries, were taken down or ordered to be taken down, by men reported to be armed, and what steps the Minister intends to take to convey proper regret or apology to these friendly peoples for the insult offered to their national flags.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Alleged Interference With Flags.
I have made enquiries from the Department of Justice and I find that no reports or complaints have been received regarding the incidents referred to in the Deputy's question. The second part of the question does not arise.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, is he aware that what is now known as the Australian flag was first raised at the Eureka Stockade by an Irishman named Peter Lalor when leading the miners in resisting British aggression, and as such should receive more respect from liberty-loving Irishmen?
I know nothing about this. We have made inquiries and there is no official information of the kind available.
Were inquiries made at the Shelbourne Hotel and at the house near Lansdowne Road where these incidents are supposed to have occurred?
Inquiries were made in the usual way from the Department of Justice.
Were inquiries made at the Shelbourne Hotel?
When this question came to me, I had inquiries made at the Department of Justice and they had no information of any such incidents.
The Department is not going to take any action with regard to comments made frequently in the newspapers in respect of these two incidents? The Department is simply going to stay quiet. Is that the way the Government is run?
The Deputy has no right to come to any such conclusion. The first time this thing came before us officially was here.
Would the President be justified is coming to the conclusion, arising out of the information we got yesterday from the Minister for Justice, that drilling is going on throughout the country? Would he be also justified in coming to the conclusion that persons who have been subjected to these insults are, therefore, terrorised into not making complaints?
I do not think I would be justified in coming to any such conclusion.
Do nothing.