asked the President at what hour instructions were given to the Press that they were at liberty to publish the letters passing between him and the Governor-General, the publication of which had been attempted to be prohibited by an order of the Executive Council; whether such instructions were issued to all newspapers concerned simultaneously.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Lifting of Ban on Governor-General's Correspondence.
I am anxious to give every possible information at my disposal about this matter. At 3.15 p.m. on Monday, the 11th July, the offices of the Dublin newspapers and the Dublin representatives of the "Cork Examiner,""Evening Echo" and the Press Association were informed by telephone that a statement was available at Government Buildings for publication in connection with the correspondence which had taken place between the President of the Executive Council and the Governor-General. These telephone calls occupied approximately ten minutes and copies of the covering statement and of the full correspondence were handed to the various representatives according as they arrived at Government Buildings. The distribution of the papers had been completed by 3.45 p.m. So far as this procedure permitted, the issue of the material to the various newspapers was simultaneous.
Was the personal letter, which was not already in the possession of the newspapers, issued separately from Government Buildings to any newspapers?
No. I can say that definitely. In fact, the calling up of the newspapers and the distribution took place in my private office and was superintended by my own private secretary and by another officer, who was one of those left from the last administration—I think he was assistant secretary formerly. My private secretary informed me that the first paper he rang up was the "Evening Herald." I have not been able to find out from the other officer which of the other papers he called up first. I see the purpose of the question and I want to assure the Deputy that there was no question of discrimination of any sort.
What was the object in trying to suppress this correspondence at all?
Was the Government advised at any time that a prosecution would lie against any person printing this correspondence?
The Government had to take action to preserve State correspondence, which was regarded as correspondence which should not have been published. Action was taken on the understanding that it was not permissible for anyone to publish these papers once it had been made clear in the correspondence itself that they were regarded as confidential State documents.
Did the Government take action to frighten people into not publishing them, knowing well that they could not succeed in a prosecution?
No. It was not taken in that sense at all. The Government does not accept that view now either.
Was legal advice procured as to the correctness of procedure in this case? The Official Secrets Act has been mentioned. What legal advice in respect of their powers was obtained?
In so far as it was possible to get in the time a detailed examination, that was done.
In view of the very difficult position in which the Press were placed, will the President undertake that the law in the matter will be further examined with a view to getting more clear than the President is at the moment what exactly are the powers of the Executive in the matter of the Press?
What legal opinion did the Party to which Deputy Mulcahy belongs——
Common sense.