At Question Time yesterday, in the course of a supplementary question, I stated in relation to a series of articles and photographs in the Irish Press that out of 17 names published and nine photographs, there were only three cases that could be regarded as genuine emigrants. I should, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle like an opportunity, in fairness to all concerned, of amplifying this statement.
In the articles in question 17 names of identifiable persons were published. In relation to these 17 names, the position is as follows:—
3 had applied for travel permits to work in Britain during the years 1943-1948 and had emigrated to Britain:
6 were residents of the Six Counties:
1 was going on holidays, intending to return within 12 months:
1 had first emigrated to Australia in 1921 and then to the United States in 1929:
1 was joining her husband who was in the United States engaged in research studies in chemistry:
1 was in the Guards until he resigned on the 28th January for the purpose of going to New York:
1 was a schoolgirl going to reside with her uncle in New York.
In my view, the 14 named above cannot be classified as emigrants from this State in the ordinary sense.
The remaining three could properly be classified as emigrants.
In relation to the unidentified photograph of nine young girls: I received a letter from a high ecclesiastic enclosing a copy of a photograph and informing me that, to his knowledge, these girls were on their way to become postulants in a religious Order. As their names were not available to me. I had no information other than this communication. As this statement has been challenged, I feel it right to let the House know that I had no other source of information at my disposal. In the circumstances, with the leave of the House, I wish to withdraw the suggestion that these nine girls were postulants. I have no direct official information whereby I can identify these nine girls or to ascertain the reasons for their journey. The position in respect of the other 17 whose names were mentioned is as I have indicated.
