asked the President what are the intentions of the Government with regard to Civil Servants and other employes paid out of funds voted by the Dáil who were arrested and interned during the years 1922-23, and afterwards released without charge or trial; whether he is aware that several of these have not yet been reinstated, and that some of those who have been carrying on their work since release have not been paid their salaries; and, further, if he will say whether the practice adopted by the British during the period 1919-21 with regard to ex-interned public servants will be followed by the Government.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - EX-INTERNED CIVIL SERVANTS.
The Government has decided to set up a Committee to investigate the cases of Civil Servants who were arrested or interned subsequent to 1st July, 1922, on suspicion of complicity with the Irregulars and this Committee will consider the cases of those Civil Servants who have been suspended or refused reinstatement because prima facie evidence existed of irregular activities.
Mr. O'CONNELL
Is the President in a position to state what the Constitution of the Committee will be, what the procedure will be, whether the ex-internee will have an opportunity of making a case before that Committee, or being represented by counsel before it?
The personnel of the Committee is Mr. Kevin O'Shiel, B.L.; Chairman; Mr. Diarmuid O'Hegarty, Secretary of the Executive Council; and Mr. Henry O'Friel, Executive Head of the Department of Home Affairs. Every person against whom a case is pending will have an opportunity of putting his case before the Committee.
Mr. O'CONNELL
In person or by legal representative?
In person.