asked the Minister for Justice whether he is aware (a) that the Army Council of the so-called I.R.A. have in recent weeks posted up in Dublin and other places a manifesto in which they (i) deny the right of the Oireachtas to the allegiance of the people, (ii) characterise the repeal of the External Relations Act as a mere political manoeuvre to mislead the Irish people, and (iii) urge the members of this armed and illegal body to continue their efforts; (b) that arms were illegally carried and used publicity at funerals in Clare and Dublin during the last few weeks; and, if so, whether he intends to take any action in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Activities of Illegal Bodies.
I am aware that some leaflets purporting to be issued by the I.R.A. were posted up recently and that there were a few cases where shots were fired over graves. I consider that in the present peaceful state of the country it is best to ignore these incidents.
Would the Minister for Justice inform the House whether he informed the Taoiseach that arms were carried publicly and illegally and used publicly and illegally without his permission?
Would the Deputy repeat the question?
Would the Minister for Justice inform the House whether he has informed the Taoiseach that arms were carried illegally and publicly and used illegally and publicly without his permission?
I am not in a position to issue any such information to the Taoiseach or to anybody else. I am aware that at two funerals a number of shots were fired. That took place, not only in 1949 and 1948 but in 1946 and 1945, and the Minister did not succeed in stopping it then either. The Deputy would be as well off to leave it where I have it.
Did the Minister inform the Taoiseach?
He cannot do it without effective control.
The great Republican Minister for Agriculture wants to have shots fired.
And the fellow who does not want a Republic wants to have shots fired.
Would the Minister inform the House as to whether he conveyed the information the Dáil got last week to the Taoiseach that there are arms held illegally and used publicly?
I am perfectly aware that there are arms held illegally which were dumped under the orders of the Deputy when Chief-of-Staff, and of Deputy de Valera in 1922, and that they are still kept apparently under your control.
Does the Minister suggest that arms dumped by me or by anybody else should not be held illegally and should not be surrendered to the proper authority?
Do you want to unite this country or to divide it? You are a disruptionist.
The Minister for Justice never belived that anybody was entitled to have arms in this country or to use them illegally. He took good care, as far as he could, at all times to see that they were taken up.
Will he instruct the Guard that they should be collected where possible?
Will you give up the dumps you still control?
Will the Minister try to get the dumps and carry out the law?
Question No. 12.
I want to give notice that I propose to raise the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply on the Adjournment.