asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will make representations to the British Government to have the Salford Council Planning Committee reconsider their decision to refuse to grant permission to erect a memorial to the three executed Fenians, Allen, Larkin and O'Brien; if he will ask that permission be granted for erection on an alternative site; and if he will seek to have the matter solved to the satisfaction of all concerned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Manchester Fenian Memorial.
4.
The answer to the Deputy's question is that even if it were possible for the British Government to press the Salford Planning Committee to agree to the erection of the suggested memorial, it would be unwise to erect it without the willing co-operation and consent of the Salford committee. I do not propose therefore to take the action suggested by the Deputy.
Does the Minister not consider it desirable to request and solicit the co-operation of the Irish Ambassador in Britain for the purpose of making representations so that this matter can be brought to a satisfactory conclusion, to the satisfaction of the Irish interests and also of the council concerned and the town planning authority? I am reliably informed that this matter could be satisfactorily solved with a little more co-operation, and that if the Irish Ambassador were instructed to give a lead, the matter could be satisfactorily disposed of.
I think the Minister for External Affairs would like to be able to intervene effectually in this matter, but the Government cannot really intervene in regard to the decision of a local planning committee in relation to the positioning of a monument. It is up to the people in the area, the people who have a feeling of sympathy for the three Fenians, to see if it can be settled. I understand an alternative site is being looked for. The Government and the representatives of the Government in England cannot intervene in the decision of a local planning committee.
Would the Minister arrange for the Minister for External Affairs to come back and go out there and consult with the committee, with a view to having the job done?
I do not think it is the duty of the Minister to approach a local committee. The Deputy knows that perfectly well. If Ministers of foreign countries were to start intervening in matters of local planning, where would we be? The Deputy knows the idea is most inappropriate.
In the event of an alternative site being submitted to the planning authority in Salford, would it not be possible for a recommendation to be made by our Irish Ambassador in London, having regard to the importance of the memorial to be erected, asking for favourable consideration?
If the Minister for External Affairs thought proper action could be taken with whatever Minister of the British Government was responsible, I have no doubt he would use his influence, but, at the moment, the position is not that: the British Government have absolutely no influence whatever on any planning committee in relation to the placing of a statue in a particular place.