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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 18 Feb 1943

Vol. 89 No. 6

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Press Reports of Discussion on Neutrality.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defensive Measures whether it is intended to suppress Press reports of any discussion of the expedience or propriety of Irish neutrality in the war, during the general election campaign.

Since the beginning of the emergency all matter prejudicial to the public safety and the preservation of the State, whether contained in Press reports or otherwise, and whether in favour of neutrality or of participation in the war, has been censored. It is proposed to continue this practice for the duration of the emergency.

May I take it from the Minister's reply that it is not the intention of the Government to permit the issue of neutrality to be discussed in the course of the election campaign?

Has the Deputy finished his supplementary question?

I indicated, in a reply to a similar question by the Deputy the last day, that, if he wants to go to the people of Monaghan and say to them: "Follow me into the war," he is entitled to do it.

I asked the Minister a specific question, to which he studiously attempts to evade a reply. Can the issue of neutrality be freely discussed in the course of the election campaign, and will that discussion be freely published without censorship, or will only those features be permitted to be printed which coincide with the policy of the Government on the question of neutrality?

Those speeches which coincide with the Government's policy regarding neutrality—and which coincide, incidentally, as far as I am aware, with 99.9 per cent. of the people's policy on neutrality—if, as I said in answer to the Deputy's question to-day, they are prejudicial to the public safety and the preservation of the State, they will be censored just as well as speeches that are pro-war.

Speeches which advocate the abandonment of the policy of neutrality by the Irish people, in the exercise of their sovereign right to abandon it, will not be permitted to be printed? Is that the position? Why not answer straightly and honestly?

Why not ask a straight question?

The Minister is afraid to answer it.

What does the Deputy mean by "abandoning neutrality"? Going into the war? As I told him both on the last occasion and to-day, if he wants to put that question to the people of Monaghan, he is quite entitled to do it.

Is he entitled to get his speeches printed and not censored, as the Minister censored my speech a few months ago and then denied doing it? I ask the Minister that question. Will the Minister answer it straightly? Will speeches advocating the abandonment of the policy of neutrality be allowed to be published, or will they be censored? The Minister can answer that question, "yes" or "no", but he is afraid to do so. Will he answer it?

I do not know what the Deputy wants.

The Minister dare not answer it. I want to know from the Minister will he abuse his powers, as he has done in the past, or is he prepared to allow free discussion on the question of the abandonment of neutrality in the course of the general election campaign? He is afraid to answer.

As far as I can see, what the Deputy wants to do is to lie on a bed of roses down in Ballaghaderreen and dream he is in the snows of Russia.

I want an answer to the question and I am entitled to get it.

Question No. 9.

Does the Minister refuse to answer the question?

The Chair has no function in that matter.

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