asked the Minister for External Affairs if he has seen the report, published in the Press, of a speech delivered by Professor Smiddy, Saorstát Minister at Washington, before the Canadian Club, Toronto, on Monday, October 10, in which he is reported as stating that the Saorstát would be ever in the forefront to defend the peoples who from the British Empire if they are threatened; and if this statement represents the considered policy of the Ministry.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - SAORSTAT MINISTER AT WASHINGTON.
I have seen several different reports of the Saorstát Minister's speech at Toronto. The actual words used by Professor Smiddy were: "The Irish Free State, like Canada, will ever bear the torch of freedom, religious toleration and enlightenment, and she will be in the forefront to safeguard these liberties if threatened." The statement is in complete accord with the considered policy of the Government.
Is the Minister aware that the statement which appeared in the "Irish Times" is that "the Irish Free State, like Canada, would bear the torch of freedom, religious toleration and enlightenment and all that makes for the welfare of the people who form that Empire, and she will be ever in the forefront to defend them if they are threatened"?
Will the Deputy say what "them" means?
I am asking the Minister.
Well, I must give the Deputy credit for being able to understand a simple sentence.