asked the Minister for Justice if, in view of the near approach of Christmas, a free pardon will be given to all those in prison charged with or convicted of offences arising out of the collection of annuities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Suggested Christmas Amnesty
The answer to the Deputy's question is in the negative.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, as this is the season of Christmas, would an Irish Government not at least set as good an example as the British Government did 18 years ago by granting an amnesty to these prisoners and further, is he not aware that, in 1932, his predecessor, Deputy Geoghegan, then Minister for Justice, and the Minister for Finance, released prisoners from Arbour Hill informally and, perhaps, illegally?
I have no evidence or no assurance that this conspiracy, from which the offences for which those men are in prison, arose, has been abandoned and, in that position, I cannot consider any suggestion of release.
The principal question of the two I have on the Order Paper is No. 16. On a satisfactory and national reply to that question, I would be in a position to give an undertaking, without acknowledging that, at any time, there was any such thing as a conspiracy to commit crime, as alleged by the Minister.
It is only within the last four days that this thing was carried on again.