asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will state whether passports to visit Russia were issued recently by his Department to Messrs. Patrick Kelly (Transport and General Workers' Union), John Sunderland (Workers' Union of Ireland) and James Woods (Electrical Trade Union, Belfast), and, if so, if he is aware that the purpose of the visit was to participate in the celebrations of the fifteenth anniversary of the Russian Revolution.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Issue of Passports to Visit Russia.
Passports to visit Russia were issued to Patrick Kelly and John Sunderland on the 28th October. No application for a passport was received from James Woods. I am aware that the purpose of the visit was to attend the celebrations of the 15th anniversary of the Russian Revolution. Refusal to grant a passport does not prevent people going to Russia, and it probably increases any feeling of sympathy for Communism which may exist.
Is the Minister aware, that, notwithstanding the masquerade of the people in question, they have no power to speak for nor do they in any way represent trade unions or the Labour Movement in Ireland?
I am very glad, indeed, that that point has been made clear by Deputy Norton.