presented the following motion¹ re Provisional Orders Decree. He said it was on all fours with the Defence of the Realm Act passed by the British government during the great European war and as European powers considered such acts necessary for their protection he considered this Decree necessary for Ireland's protection.
1. Not entered in the record. The decree is printed in Appendix 3.
All the members realized it would be extremely difficult for the Dáil to meet again if hostilities were resumed and it was with a view to invest the Cabinet with powers to legislate pending meetings of the Dáil that this Decree was introduced. He proposed adoption of the Decree.