asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that the meetings held by the workers of Dublin to protest against the enactment of the Trade Union Bill, 1941, and the enforcement of Emergency Powers (No. 33) Order have been attended by police note-takers; whether this action has been authorised by him and if he will state the purpose for which police note-takers are sent to lawfully constituted meetings held for the purpose of enabling the workers affected to declare their views in regard to economic and social measures which vitally concern them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Police Note-Taking at Public Meetings.
It is the usual police practice, in connection with public meetings, to submit a report containing such particulars as to the place, time, and nature of the meeting, the numbers attending, whether any breach of the peace occurred, and some account of the speeches made. Notes of the speeches are taken whenever it is thought that the report should be fuller and more accurate than would be possible if the officers concerned relied solely on their memory. The usual practice was followed in connection with the meetings referred to in the question.
Does the Minister contend that it is the police practice to send an official note-taker to all public meetings held in Dublin or elsewhere?
Mr. Boland
That is the practice and there will be no departure from the usual practice in this case.
Will the Minister make inquiries and ascertain whether meetings have been held at which no official note-taker was present and whether there has not been an undue concentration of attention in this respect on meetings held for the purpose of protesting against the anti-Trade Union Bill and the Wages Order?
Mr. Boland
I made inquiries and I was informed that nothing unusual took place at those meetings so far as police practice is concerned. It is the practice for a note-taker to attend and take notes at such meetings.
The Minister has stressed the number of meetings in Dublin at which the presence of these note-takers was not obvious whereas their presence on this occasion was painfully obvious to everybody. In view of that fact would the Minister make further inquiries?
Mr. Boland
I should not like to say that what the Deputy has stated is not correct but I have made full inquiries and what I have stated is the information I got. Of course, I was not there myself. I am told this is the ordinary practice and I have no reason to doubt that statement.
Was the Minister for Industry and Commerce there?
Mr. Boland
I could not say.
Will the Minister say whether it is the usual practice for a competent note-taker to go to a speaker at the conclusion of the meeting and ask the speaker for a copy of his notes?
That is a separate question.
Mr. Boland
It was not the question addressed to me.
What do you think of the note-taker now in view of that?