asked the Minister for Home Affairs whether he is aware that Mr. J. Baird, Organiser, Irish Transport and General Workers' Union, who is held in custody in Kilkenny Jail under the Public Safety (Emergency Powers) Act, 1923, has been on hunger strike since October 4th, as a protest against his being placed in close confinement, being deprived of his bed, and being debarred from receiving letters and parcels, as a result of his refusal to do whitewashing work; whether there is any authority for requiring untried prisoners to do work of this kind; and whether he will ensure that Mr. Baird, who has been visited only once by a doctor, shall receive adequate medical attention.
CEISTEANNA.—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - TRADE UNION ORGANISER'S IMPRISONMENT.
The Minister for Defence will answer this question.
Is that a matter for the Minister for Defence?
The Minister for Home Affairs has stated the Minister for Defence proposes to answer it.
In accordance with the usual practice, Mr. Baird was expected to take his share of the cooking, cleaning and light maintenance work, such as whitewashing, required to be done in the jail. He refused to do anything, and as a disciplinary measure was awarded close confinement and debarred from receiving letters and parcels for seven days, but was not deprived of bedding. Mainly, it appears, as a protest against his internment, he commenced a partial hunger strike on the 5th instant. He takes a little food and some tea. Until the 8th instant Mr. Baird received due attention from a medical orderly, and since that date from a medical officer.
Mr. O'CONNELL
Would the Minister say whether Mr. Baird is in military or civil custody?
Mr. Baird is in military custody.