asked the Minister for External Affairs if any request has been made to the British Government for the transfer of the remains of Barnes and McCormack for re-burial in this country; and, if not, if he will make such a request with the permission of the relatives of both parties.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Remains of Executed Irishmen.
5.
The answer to the first part of the Deputy's question is that I am not aware of any such request having been made. With regard to the second part, I do not propose to take any action in the matter.
It is, of course, open to the relatives of persons executed in Britain to request the British Home Secretary to issue a licence to permit the exhumation of the remains for reinterment elsewhere, if they so desire.
Might I ask the Minister, in the event of the relatives of Barnes and McCormack making application to the British authorities, will it have the backing, support and co-operation of the Irish Government, so that whatever facilities are needed will be granted?
I am not able to state what the attitude of the Minister would be in this particular case, but I am pretty certain he would not be willing to intervene for reasons the Deputy must know.
Can we have an assurance he will not intervene to prevent the return of the remains?
I have not said anything which would suggest he would intervene to prevent the removal of any remains from England to here.
The inference of the Minister's reply had, to my mind, certain splenetic political overtones and I should like clarification of that. These men did much more than the Minister did for this country. They lost their lives. The Minister did not lose an hour.
The Deputy should not make a comment like that.
The Deputy should not introduce that note into this highly delicate matter.
Can the relatives have the assistance of the Irish Ambassador in London? Can they at least have that?
I have said the Minister for External Affairs does not propose to take any action in the matter.
I am asking now could the relatives have the assistance of the Irish Ambassador in London?
That would depend on changed circumstances which are not before me and the Minister at the moment.
In view of the fact that one of the parties concerned is a constituent and all the relatives live in my constituency, might I ask for the sympathetic co-operation of the Government in the event of the removal of the remains to this country? All we want is the goodwill of the Government, so that, if there is any red tape, it can be cut through.
What I have already said to the Deputy is the position at the moment. No request has been made and the Minister for External Affairs is not prepared to take any action.