asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware of the statement published in the Press of the 29th November, 1948, in which Deputy Major Vivion de Valera is reported as having said at a luncheon held in connection with the Annual Convention of Irish ex-Servicemen, that speaking as a staff officer who saw the documents, he could say that if it was not for the Irish ex-Servicemen this country would have been occupied by other troops, and that their behaviour was such that one potential aggressor so over-estimated our strength as to believe that it would have been necessary to have ten men to one to overcome them; and if the Minister will say what documents the Deputy was referring to, what country was the potential aggressor and if he will make a statement to the Dáil on this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ireland's War Strength.
I am aware of the statement published in the Press to which the Deputy refers. I am not, however, in a position to say what documents the Deputy who made the statement was referring to, nor what country was alleged to be the potential aggressor and I cannot, therefore, make a full statement on the matter.
Will the Minister say if the Deputy was drawing on his imagination?
I think that that question should be addressed to the Deputy.
Major de Valera
Perhaps for the Minister's information I might state that if Deputy Cowan had served during the emergency instead of securing exemption, he would have the same information at his disposal as I have.
On a point of personal explanation, I was a member of the Reserve during the emergency and when I was called upon to serve I served. I deny that I applied for any exemption and I call upon Deputy de Valera to withdraw that suggestion. I never applied for exemption.
You never served either.
Deputy de Valera should look into his own family and he will see some exemptions.
I was serving the country before the Deputy was.