asked the Taoiseach whether, in view of his repeated promises to take the gun out of politics through the repeal of the External Relations Act, he will now appeal to the illegal military organisation which is retaining and using arms illegally to disband that organisation and hand up its arms to the proper authorities; and, further, whether he will issue a warning to its members that if his appeal is not successful, he will use every endeavour to ensure that the law is enforced in all respects.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Use of Arms.
The gun has been taken out of politics, and the Government have no intention of creating, by way of appeal or warning, the impression that a situation exists which, in fact, does not exist.
I addressed a question to the Taoiseach. It was transferred to the Minister for Justice, and in the question I have referred to this manifesto that was posted up by this army council of the so-called I.R.A.
That is on Question No. 11.
The Deputy is trying to divide this country.
If Deputy Lehane cannot keep quiet, he will have to withdraw. He has no more licence to interrupt than anyone else.
Mr. Boland
He is nothing but a squealer all the time.
I never squealed to you.
Mr. Boland
Bedad you did, and I can prove it to you. The Deputy is nothing but a squealer, and sent others to squeal to me.
That is a demand lie.
Mr. Boland
I have documentary evidence of it.
I want to ask the Taoiseach, as a supplementary question, whether he heard the answer of the Minister for Justice last week when he admitted that arms were used without his authority at a funeral and whether he is aware that the military organisation that he now supports in their actions during the war have repudiated him and his External Relations Act repeal, as making no difference in the situation in which they used arms to murder Guards and whether, if they take up arms to murder Guards at the present time, he will take the same attitude towards their actions as he now takes to their attitude in murdering Guards during the war?
More mischief.