asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been directed to a recent statement in the British journal, Tablet, that there were 12,000 deserters from the Irish Army serving in foreign forces; and whether, if this statement is not true, he will have it officially contradicted through the Publicity Bureau; further, whether he will give the number of deserters from the Irish Army in 1940, 1941, 1942 and 1943 to date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Desertions from Army.
I am aware that a statement appeared in the British journal Tablet, to the effect that 12,000 deserters from the Army are serving in that of another country. From the statistics available, I can assure the Deputy that this statement is not correct. Further to this reply, I do not propose to take any steps towards the official contradiction of the statement.
It is not proposed to indicate the number of deserters from the Army for the past four years, as it would not be in the public interest to do so. As I pointed out in answer to a similar question on the 3rd June, 1942, the figures for which the Deputy has asked are, on a percentage basis, only slightly above peace-time figures.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, am I to understand that he is not going to inform the House of the number of deserters from the Army?
That is correct.