asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defensive Measures if he is aware that the Irish High Commissioner in London, in a letter published in the Spectator on 31st March, 1944, stated, inter alia, that upwards of 170,000 Irishmen and Irishwomen were hard at work for Britain and that a large number of Irish volunteered to join the British Army; that a leaflet embodying a lengthy extract from the letter was refused publication by the Censor; and if he will state on what grounds the public here have been denied the reading of an official letter of one of their representatives abroad.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Publication of Letter.
The answer to the Deputy's question is: (1) I am aware that the High Commissioner in London published a letter in the Spectator of March 31st, 1944, replying to an editorial attack upon Ireland. (2) In pursuance of our policy of preventing ill-feeling being worked up here against any of the belligerents, publication of the attack and the reply was prohibited by the Censor early in April. (3) During the general elections in May, 1944, however, extracts from the reply referred to were embodied in election literature and were allowed to be published.
Does the Minister think it wise and necessary that the Irish taxpayers should be debarred by his Department from reading the speeches and learning of the activities of our Ministers in foreign countries who are being paid at their expense? I think that the people should be kept informed of their activities.
The Deputy is again making a speech. A Deputy who tries habitually to make speeches instead of asking supplementary questions might remember that it lies at the discretion of the Chair to allow supplementary questions. Deputies who offend may find themselves curtailed in that matter.
With respect to the Chair, the Minister has not answered my supplementary.