asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defensive Measures if he will state whether the Censor held up for four days, or for any period, the publication of the news of the escape and the description of the German parachutist from Mountjoy; and, if so, whether the Minister for Justice was consulted as to the expediency of this course before adopting it.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Escape of German Parachutist.
The answer to the first part of the Deputy's question is yes. As regards the second part, the Minister for Justice was not consulted personally by the staff of the censorship, but the usual procedure of consulting Departments affected was followed in this case.
Without circumlocution, can the Minister tell us how it is expedient to publish this man's photograph and description all over the country now, in a futile endeavour to recapture him, in view of the procedure in forbidding anyone to publish his description or photograph for the first four days during which he was at liberty when there was some chance of recapturing him within the jurisdiction of our own Government? Does the Minister think it right that the censorship should operate in so important a matter as this without personal reference to the Minister responsible for the maintenance of law and order in this country?
The usual procedure was followed, as I told the Deputy.
Does the Minister consider it proper, in circumstances of this character, to take so grave a step as to withhold publication of the description of an escaped person of this type without consulting the Minister ultimately responsible for his safe custody?
I think the procedure followed was all right.
I think it was all wrong, and so do most sensible people.
Are we to understand that if there is an escape of another important person to-morrow, information as to that escape will be withheld for four days and that, after that period, the information will be published?
The views of the Gárda would have to be taken into consideration.
Are the Gárda so completely blind to the possibility of getting any assistance from the ordinary people that they will acquiesce in withholding information of that kind for four days?
I think the Gárda have shown that they are able to manage their affairs pretty well for some time past. They have been very successful.
Will the Minister say whether he has been advised by the Gárda that, in order to help them to trace an escaped prisoner, it is necessary to withhold information as to that escape from the public for as long as four days?