asked the Taoiseach if he will state whether the statement made by the Minister for External Affairs in Dáil Éireann on 23rd February, 1949, and reported in the newspapers of 19th April, 1949, as having been repeated by him in the United States to the effect that there is danger of civil war if the Oireachtas were to decide to adhere to the Atlantic Pact expresses the view of the Government; and, if so, whether he will place all the facts which have so convinced the Government before the Dáil.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Government and Atlantic Pact.
When making the statement referred to by the Deputy, the Minister for External Affairs, both in the Dáil on the 23rd February last and more recently in Chicago on the 18th instant, qualified that statement with the words "in the event of a crisis." The qualification appeared, of course, in the Official Report of the Dáil Debates for the 23rd February (column 324) and in the reports of the Minister's speech at Chicago that appeared in two of the three Dublin morning newspapers on the 19th instant.
The circumstances in which any military alliance or commitment involving joint military action between this State and the State responsible for Partition might, as long as Partition lasts, involve the danger of internal strain in this country in the event of a crisis, are so obvious to anyone having a knowledge of the situation that I do not feel called upon to make any elaboration of the statement.
I should like to ask if it is as a result of police reports that the Government have come to the conclusion that there would be a danger of civil war if the Oireachtas made up its mind to take a certain course in a matter of high policy?
No, it is commonsense. I do not put that in contrast with police reports.
So that there is no foundation for it. It is only an opinion of the Minister for External Affairs.
It is a very sound opinion.
Is it?
I think so.
It is not based on any report by those who ought to know what the situation is. Perhaps Deputy Con Lehane could tell us something about it.
Do not mind Deputy Lehane.
You were behind the firing line.