asked the Minister for Justice whether a religious picture was removed from the library in the Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Part, and subsequently thrown behind a press; and whether in view of the grave discontent which arose amongst the members of the Force in consequence of the removal it was surreptitiously returned to its former place; whether he has investigated the matter with a view to placing the responsibility, and, if so, with what results, and if not, whether he will make such investigation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Removal of Religious Picture.
asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the deep resentment felt by the older and retired members of the Garda Síochána at the removal of the consecrated picture of the Sacred Heart from the library wall of the Garda headquarters, and that the picture was blessed and dedicated and placed in position at a ceremony attended by the Chief Commissioner and 400 senior and regular officers of the Garda Síochána; whether its removal had official sanction, and if it was carried out by a senior officer of the Garda Síochána; whether the subsequent replacement was the result of public resentment at the removal; and whether in view of the grave implications of this matter and the insult to Christian feeling, he will make a full statement.
asked the Minister for Justice why a religious picture was removed from the wall of the library in the Garda Síochána headquarters and subsequenctly replaced when the matter received publicity; whether he is aware of the discontent; and resentment caused among Gardaí by the removal of the picture; and what action he intends to take in the matter.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to deal with Questions Nos. 15, 16 and 17 together.
In September, 1956, the Commissioner approved of a proposal that the room known as the library at Garda headquarters, which had previously been used for a variety of purposes, should in future be reserved for conferences, selection boards, examinations, lectures and similar official purposes. In pursuance of this decision instructional classes which were being held in the library were changed to other rooms, and a room was allocated for the use of a Catholic organisation which had been holding its meetings in the library. Various items of equipment were removed from the library to other rooms and arrangements were made to have the picture referred to moved to the room allocated for the use of the Catholic organisation.
No protest or representation of any kind was received by the Commissioner until this year, when an individual member of the Force made a suggestion that the picture should be replaced. On inquiring into the matter then, the Commissioner ascertained that the Catholic organisation were not using the room which had been placed at their disposal, and that while the picture had been removed from the library wall it had not been hung in the new room, but had been left behind a screen in the library. He then directed that it should be restored to its former position.