asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that there are a considerable number of men in County Dublin, who are unemployed and have no knowledge of agricultural or turf work, and whether, in view of the fact that these men have wives and families to support, he is prepared at this stage to relax the ban in such cases and allow these men to proceed to employment in Great Britain.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Restrictions on Travel to England.
I would refer the Deputy to the terms of my reply to a similar question on the 9th instant.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he has yet decided to relax the Order prohibiting persons ordinarily resident outside towns of 5,000 population and upwards from going to Great Britain to work.
It has not yet been decided whether the existing restrictions on emigration should be modified.
Does the Minister realise the number of people who are suffering real hardship, people who are anxious to work and to contribute to an easing of their family difficulties, but who are being held up pending a Government decision in this matter? Would the Government allow, even for an interim period while they are in doubt, these persons to go, even if it becomes requisite to re-impose the prohibition at a later date?
The fact is as given to the Deputy in the reply to his main question.
Would the Minister, while the Government is vacillating as to whether the Order is to be repealed or not, lift the Order and, if they make up their minds that they do not propose to repeal it permanently, put it on again—rather than leave hundreds of people, waiting to get away, who are anxious and willing to work, in doubt and idling at home?
All relevant considerations will be taken into account.
When will the Minister come to a decision about it?
That is another question.
Is it still the considered policy of the Government to try to force young men into the National Army rather than to give them a permit to take up employment elsewhere?
That is a separate question.
As a statement, it is wrong, and as a question, it is out of order.
Does the Minister hold out any hope of a decision one way or another at a reasonably early date? Will he indicate any early date on which people may reasonably anticipate that the Government will make a decision?
I will not indicate a date upon which the Government may modify the existing regulations.
Is the Minister not aware that this prohibition is not only forcing young men to join the Irish Army but forcing them to join the British Army?
I do not understand how that can be said.
They have to run away across the Border, and, when they get across, there is nothing for them to do but join the British Army.