asked the Taoiseach (1) whether he is aware that he is reported in a newspaper of Tuesday, 19th April, as having sent a message to the United Irish Societies in Montreal in connection with the coming into operation of the Republic of Ireland Act, which said that "that day marked the realisation of the ambitions of generations of Irishmen and friends of Ireland throughout the world"; (2) whether this report is accurate, and (3) whether he will give the House the entire message.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Taoiseach's Montreal Message.
I am aware that I am reported as having sent the message referred to by the Deputy.
The newspaper report to which he refers is accurate so far as it goes. The following is the full text of my message to the United Irish Societies of Montreal and the Innisfail Club, Montreal:—
"As Head of the Irish Government I have pleasure in sending greetings and good wishes to the president and members of the United Irish Societies and the Innisfail Club who are gathered in Montreal to celebrate the inauguration of the Republic of Ireland. This day marks the realisation of the ambitions of generations of Irishmen and friends of Ireland throughout the world, as international recognition is accorded to the Republic of Ireland. This historic event places Ireland apart but not adrift from the countries of the Commonwealth with which we have always had such close associations. Without any necessity for formal ties, we hope that these associations will in the future become even more close and cordial than they have been in the past. As an independent Republic, however, we shall play our part in international affairs, confident that we may rely on the continued friendship of all the people of the great Dominion of Canada and, in particular, of the generous people of the Province of Quebec who have at all times shown such a sympathetic understanding of Irish aspirations."
Will the Minister say whether he thinks it wise for the Taoiseach to state "the ambitions of generations of Irishmen and friends of Ireland have been realised" when the whole basis of our case against Partition is that those ambitions have not been realised, and when we want to secure the support of the friends of Ireland abroad to help us to realise those ambitions and to get rid of Partition and haye a republic for the 32 Counties?
The particular occasion to which the message referred marked the realisation of the ambitions of generations of Irishmen. Nobody stated that it marked the full realisation.
The words that the Minister read out were that the day marked the realisation of the ambitions of generations of Irishmen and friends of Ireland throughout the world.
It goes on to add: "As international recognition is accorded to the Republic of Ireland." That is part of the same sentence.
Mr. de Valera
To what Republic?
The one that you know nothing about.
He does not want to know anything about it.
Does the Minister not admit that the ambitions of Irishmen have not been realised when we have not freedom for the 32 Counties of Ireland? Is it not wrong to give the impression to people in any part of the world that our ambitions have been realised when we only control 26 of the 32 counties?
The message is a perfect message.
It is a perfect atrocity.
It is not the Deputy's epitaph.
Mr. de Valera
May I ask the Minister whether foreign countries have recognised the Republic of the 32 Counties?
The Deputy can read the messages which came in.
Mr. de Valera
I know what I can read. I want the truth exactly.
May I ask the Minister if he could prescribe something for sore heads?
One thing is that they should not eat sour grapes.
Mr. de Valera
The truth is the thing which should be told.
You are still Partitionists.