asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will make further representations to the British authorities in the case of the late Sheila Fore, British Nat. Reg. No. Y.Q.A.A. 129192, a native of Tuam, County Galway, who, on a doctor's evidence, was sentenced to imprisonment for being absent from work from a Birmingham factory, and who subsequently was certified as an advanced case of tuberculosis; and whether, having regard to all the circumstances of this girl's treatment prior to her death, he will press for adequate compensation to her relatives in Ireland; further, whether he is satisfied generally that Irish workers engaged in war work in Great Britain have adequate medical attention.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Case of Irish Worker in England.
As the Deputy is aware, representations were made in this case through the High Commissioner in London immediately it was brought to our notice in December, 1943. Investigations were made on behalf of the British Minister of Home Affairs and the Minister of Labour and National Service. Copies of the reports they received, which in certain particulars differed from the case presented to us and from that implied in the Deputy's question, were forwarded by us in January and February, 1944, to the priest who, on behalf of Miss Fore and her parents, first brought the case to our attention. We asked for comments by Miss Fore on these reports, so that the matter could be pursued further. We were informed that the reports had been forwarded to Miss Fore, but no further communication was received.
Last March the Deputy wrote to us, and we furnished him also with copies of the reports and information regarding what had been done previously. The question now asked by the Deputy is the only communication we had from him since. It is obvious that until comments on the reports were received, we were unable to take any further action that could be effective. That is still the position.
The case is a sad one, and now that Miss Fore has died, it will be difficult to produce the evidence needed to pursue the matter.
With regard to the final part of the Deputy's question, I have no evidence to show that Irish workers in Britain do not receive adequate medical attention. In fact, it is only right to say. that from reports which I have received it would appear that the British authorities were considerate and kind to Miss Fore once it became evident to them that she was genuinely ill.
The Taoiseach says that nothing can be done at the moment. Surely it is proved beyond doubt, now that this girl has died, by the statement by the medical officer in the factory that she was able to continue to work and by which she was compelled to work, the statement by the prison doctor that she was able to suffer the rigours of prison life and the statement by the medical officer in the sanatorium that she entered, that she was an advanced case of tuberculosis, and that it was nothing short of murder of an Irish worker as far as the British authorities are concerned?
Has the Deputy a question to ask? He seems to be making a speech.
I would ask the Taoiseach now, in view of the fact that her death has proved beyond doubt that these medical officers were wrong, to approach the British authorities to see that some adequate compensation is given to her father and mother, who depended on her earnings.
I informed the Deputy that it is necessary for us to have comments on the reports that were furnished to the British authorities. We have been asking for them for a considerable period. The fact is that the reports controvert the statements made by the Deputy. We want to have some basis on which an examination can be made to see who was right. I do not think it would be wise for me or even for the Deputy, if there is to be anything further done in this case—I do not see that there can be until we get the basis to work on—to discuss the matter here in public in a way that might prejudice the case.
I would ask the Taoiseach, if he gets some communications on the matter, would he be good enough to try to advance the case a little further?
We have been asking for the necessary communications for over a year. It is nearly a year since the Deputy was asked for them. Now the time at which this could be most effectively done has clearly passed.
Of course, I was actively engaged in the matter all through, I assure the Taoiseach.
We have no evidence of any communications to us.
Will the Taoiseach hold out any promise to assist?
I cannot hold out any promise until I get the facts. All the reports that we have got have been furnished to the Deputy and have been furnished to the priest who interest himself in the matter. They were furnished over a year ago. We have asked for comments on those reports and we have got no comments. I do not want to say more than is necessary at this stage, if there is anything further to be done in the matter. We did not get the comments and there were natural conclusions that we were likely to draw from not getting any further communication.
I assure the Taoiseach that I was actively engaged on this.
We got no communication.
I am in possession of them at the moment and if I pass them to the Taoiseach would he interest himself in them?
If the Deputy hands them to me, then I will know what I have to deal with. If he hands me the comment on the reports, made by the persons who are immediately affected and who have first-hand evidence of what has happened, I will give the matter further consideration.
I will do so, and I thank the Taoiseach.