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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Mar 1945

Vol. 96 No. 14

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Nationals in Channel Islands.

asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will state what is the position of Irish nationals in the Channel Islands; if he is aware that Irish nurses at King Edward's Sanatorium, Guernsey Island, have been recently removed to Germany and that grave anxiety exists among their parents and relatives at home; and, if so, if he will state if any representations have been or will be made to the responsible authorities for their protection.

Since June, 1944, the Channel Islands have been completely isolated, and none of the Irish Legations on the Continent has been able to communicate with them. While this state of affairs continues, it is, of course, impossible to know what is the actual position of our citizens on the islands.

Previous to this, that is, since the occupation of the Channel Islands in 1940, my Department and the Irish Legations on the Continent took steps which enabled Irish people on the islands to correspond with their relatives in this country by transmitting messages on their behalf to and from the islands. The Department also endeavoured to secure the repatriation of Irish citizens who desired to return home. With few exceptions, however, these efforts proved fruitless owing to the very great delays in correspondence and in obtaining the necessary visas and transport for the journey.

I have no information to suggest that Irish nurses or any other Irish citizens have been removed from any of the Channel Islands to Germany.

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