asked the Minister for Defence if he will state by what means and to what bodies and persons invitations to take part in the procession to the General Post Office and in the unveiling ceremony of the Easter Memorial on Easter Sunday were issued by the Easter Week Memorial Committee set up by him; and if he will state that he is satisfied that the invitations have been issued through suitable means and to all suitable bodies and persons.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unveiling of Easter Memorial.
By advertisement in the Press, issued by the Memorial Committee, those interested and anxious to participate in the parade and unveiling ceremony on Easter Sunday were invited to apply for positions in the procession. I am satisfied as to the issue of the invitations.
Is the Minister aware that the only paper in which advertisements were published was the Fianna Fáil Party organ, and that no advertisements were issued to the Irish Independent, Cork Examiner or Irish Times, and will the Minister say in regard to this Committee, the purpose of which was, according to the President as he stated in a reply, to organise those who wished to participate, and who could not directly get official invitations, if he is satisfied that advertisements would only invite readers of the Fianna Fáil organ to participate in the commemoration?
Dr. Ryan
It may be true that the advertisement appeared only in the Irish Press, but it must be remembered that this Committee has to pay for its own expenses and advertisements, and perhaps they felt that an advertisement in the Irish Press would reach the majority of those wishing to participate. I can, however, have the objection raised by the Deputy, conveyed to the Committee.
Is the Minister aware that no invitation has been issued to anybody by anybody except this Committee, and that the only advertisement has been issued in the Fianna Fáil Party organ? Is it still held that the Government is not making it a Party demonstration?
Dr. Ryan
It is the Committee, not the Government.
Has the Government then, completely abdicated its functions in connection with the commemoration to this Committee?
Dr. Ryan
No.
Have they not been handed over to a Party Committee?
Dr. Ryan
It delegated part of its functions to this Committee.
What functions did the Government retain?
Dr. Ryan
I think it was pointed out that the Government have retained the official part of the ceremony.
Will the invitations be issued before Easter in this year?
Dr. Ryan
Yes, in this year.
Can the Minister give us any information as to what this Committee is doing, or will the Minister say with whom persons will communicate, seeing that the Chairman and members have resigned?
Dr. Ryan
Communicate with the Secretary of the Committee.
Is it proposed that this commemoration should be under Government auspices?
Dr. Ryan
Yes.
Because I was at a meeting within the last week of a local body when the invitation was read, and the body unanimously decided to participate, believing that it was under Government auspices and nothing else.
Dr. Ryan
It is under Government auspices.
They would change their decision if they found that it was not being held under Government auspices.
Dr. Ryan
I hope the Deputy is not going to be influenced by what Deputy Mulcahy has said in trying to make out that it was a political thing. It is not a political thing. It is composed of all old 1916 organisations representing men who fought in Easter Week.
Not counting those that have left.
Dr. Ryan
All the old 1916 organisations were asked to form a Committee and they agreed to do so.
And they carried on for a fortnight and then left.
Dr. Ryan
The Deputy appears to have some information of his own on the matter.