asked the Minister for Justice if he will state his reasons for not withdrawing the orders contained in the circular sent to Gárda stations in Leix-Offaly constituency requesting members of the force to attend meetings of a Deputy of Dáil Eireann; whether a similar circular was issued in other counties pending the visits of the Deputy in question; and if he proposes, upon review, to have this practice discontinued for the future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Gárda Circular.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to a question on the same subject asked by him on the 1st of this month, and in particular, to some extracts from speeches made by him of which I reminded him on that occasion. I do not interfere with the arrangements made by the Gárda authorities in the ordinary execution of their duty to preserve the peace, unless I see some special reason for doing so, and I see no such reason in the present case.
Is the Minister aware of the fact that the meetings addressed by the Deputy referred to in the question are on all occasions public meetings, that plain-clothes members of the Minister's force have to attend those meetings, and that they travel to them by motor car, at a considerable cost to the taxpayers of this country, while I have to cycle to my own meetings on a bicycle? Would it be possible for the Minister to arrange for the members of his force to give me a lift on such occasions, when I am going to my own meetings? It is a considerable waste of money, in my opinion.
That is more a speech than a question.
I am asking the Minister, Sir, if he is aware——
——of something that does not arise out of this question.
The Minister has not stated to this House his reasons for not withdrawing the orders contained in the circular referred to in the question. If he will indicate his reasons I shall be satisfied, but I should like to know whether the Minister is aware that the gentleman responsible for the issuing of that order is a keen supporter of the Government.
That is not a supplementary question.
Arising out of what the Minister has said——
Question No. 18—Deputy O'Sullivan, the Lord Mayor.
Mr. Boland
Perhaps I might be permitted to say that if the Deputy would control his language outside there would be no need for these things to be done.
Well, at any rate, I shall get the Minister on his Estimate.