asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce why the Irish flag is not flying with the flags of other nations in the "Avenue of Nations" at the New York World Fair; and if he will have steps taken to ensure that the national flag is flown there.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Flag at New York World Fair.
7.
Mr. Ryan
The Irish national flag is flying with the flags of other nations at the New York World's Fair.
Mr. Ryan
Would the Minister state whether or not the Irish flag is flying in the Avenue of Nations? I am aware it is flying over the Irish Pavilion at the New York World's Fair.
It is flying in the Avenue of Nations in its proper position and in alphabetical order with the flags of other nations.
Is it under "Éire" or "Ireland"?
Mr. Ryan
Would the Minister state the date on which it was first flown? My information is that it was not flown in the Avenue of Nations in the first week of the Fair. That is why I asked the question.
That has been suggested to me and I had the complaint examined on the spot. I was not able to go there myself on the occasion on which the complaint was made but a member of the Pavilion staff, who is a civil servant, went with a senior executive of the Fair authorities who pointed out the positioning of the flag to the member of the staff. It was then in the same place, exactly in its alphabetical order and I doubt if the allegation that it was not there is true in the circumstances.
Mr. Ryan
I am sure the Minister's source of information is not the same as mine. Would we attribute the fact that the colour was different to the New York sun——
(Interruptions.)