asked the Minister for Justice whether his attention was directed officially to the agitation on the Sanderson Estate, which was being administered in Lunacy under the Courts, and to the necessity consequently of affording protection to Mr. G. More O'Ferrall in the exercise of his duties under the authority of the Courts, and if his attention was so directed, what steps he took to afford such protection.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Co. Longford Estate Agitation.
My attention was directed to the agitation referred to. The question of affording special protection to Mr. More O'Ferrall was considered by the Gárda Síochána. Mr. More O'Ferrall informed members of the Gárda that he did not want police around his house. Notwithstanding this, protection was afforded by frequent patrols day and night.
Will the President say if the same instructions with regard to shooting are issued to members of the Gárda who are in plain clothes and members of the Gárda who are in uniform, and if the same instructions with regard to shooting are issued to members of the Gárda in uniform who carry disclosed arms and members of the Gárda in uniform who carry undisclosed arms?
I can only say that there is no change in the instructions which were issued, and, as the Deputy has already been informed, they were issued by the predecessor of the present Commissioner, who saw no reason to vary those instructions.
Under the present Government's administration. Does the President realise that the Gárda Síochána are supposed by the people to be an unarmed force and does he think it proper that a force, which is supposed by the people to be an unarmed force, should be given instructions to draw arms and fire with deadly effect, in the one gesture?
I do not think I can add anything to what I have said on the matter.
Does the President not realise that an unarmed force should not have instructions of this particular kind, and that, if instructions of this kind are issued to the force, the people should understand that it is an armed force?
I do not think I could express an opinion on that wide subject at a moment's notice.
Does the President not realise that it is a very important matter and ought to be gone into more thoroughly than it has been gone into up to the present and that in fairness to the people this House ought to understand more fully what the policy of the Minister for Justice is?
I believe it has been gone into very thoroughly.
And that the position is as I say?