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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 18 Feb 1943

Vol. 89 No. 6

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Stranding of Irish Ship.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he will cause a record of the proceedings of the inquiry into the stranding of the S.S. Irish Plane off the Antrim coast to be deposited in the Library of Dáil Eireann, in view of the inquiry being held in camera.

The application by counsel for the Attorney-General to the court conducting the formal investigation under Section 466 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, into the stranding of the Irish Plane, to have the public excluded from the proceedings and an order made prohibiting entirely the publication of the proceedings, was made when it became clear that the evidence to be produced in the court would necessarily deal in considerable detail with matters relating to the movement of ships which it is not in the public interest should be published.

In granting the application, the district justice stated that, in making his report, he would have to set out considerable portions of the evidence and he would consider at that stage whether, in the interests of all parties, the whole report might be published.

My decision as to whether a report of the proceedings can be deposited in the Library of Dáil Eireann will have to be deferred until I receive the report and have an opportunity of examining it.

Is it not true that all the relevant facts were in the Minister's possession as a result of the preliminary inquiry held in his Department and that he gave an undertaking to this House last July, in reply to a Parliamentary Question, that this inquiry would be held in public? Why has the Minister changed his mind since he gave that undertaking?

It is not true that all the relevant facts were in my possession and the reason why the proceedings have not been held in public is stated in the reply to the Deputy's question.

Did not the Minister know that this question would be raised in the course of the inquiry when he informed the House last July of his intention to hold the inquiry in public and why has he changed his mind?

I had no reason to believe that such a question would arise. I had not been informed, and had no means of being informed of the case that was likely to be made by the parties interested in the inquiry.

Is it true that pressure was brought to bear on the Minister by shipping interests to prevent the holding of the inquiry in public?

That is not true. In fact, it is entirely untrue.

I believe it is true.

The Deputy has no right whatever to make such a statement.

I believe it is true.

That, surely, is not a supplementary question.

I asked the Minister if it was true. I believe it is.

Rebuttal of a Minister's reply is not in order.

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