asked the President if his attention had been drawn to the statement made by the Attorney-General at Ballynagore on 11th September last to the effect that the Guards, the Army and the Civil Service had on the whole been loyal to their new masters and if he will state (1) in what respects and to what number (a) the Guards (b) the Army and (c) the Civil Service have not been loyal and (2) what action he proposes to take against those who have thus impliedly been described as disloyal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Attorney-General and State Servants.
My attention was not drawn to the statement referred to until the Deputy's question was handed in. It does not appear to me in its context to bear the interpretation placed upon it by the Deputy. Consequently, the second part of the question does not call for reply.
Does the President deny that the statement was used as quoted: that the Guards, the Army, and the Civil Service had on the whole been loyal to their new masters?
I have said that it does not appear to me in its context to bear the interpretation placed upon it by the Deputy. The whole context would have to be given.
Would the President give us the context?
That is for the Deputy, I take it.
I have given the phrase, and the President answers that in the context it does not bear the implication that I have read into it.
I have said that in its context it is quite clear to anyone who takes trouble to read it that the interpretation the Deputy tries to put on it could not reasonably be placed upon it.
May we assume then that if the truth is in Truth in the News it is not in the Attorney-General?