asked the Minister for Justice if, in view of the statement of Deputy McGilligan in Dáil Éireann on 12th July, 1951, in regard to the nationality of a Deputy, he will state (a) whether the register of naturalised Irish citizens at present in his possession is defaced; (b) if so, the circumstances in which it was defaced, and (c) if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Nationality of Deputy.
An official statement on this matter was published in the daily press on 14th July. I have nothing to add to that statement and unless the Deputy— or members of the House generally— so desire, I do not propose to make any further statement now.
Is it possible for Deputies who so desire to inspect this register?
I do not propose to let any Deputy inspect the register, but I can tell the Deputy that what Deputy McGilligan stated was not a fact when he said that there was only one erasure. We have an erasure on the second page, and there are nine erasures and fourteen other alterations through the book. That is the position, but Deputy McGilligan apparently only had an eye for his victim. He only saw one page and could not see the other.
Would the Minister say what objection he has to any Deputy inspecting the register in order to satisfy himself that the Minister is telling the truth?
Let him ask his colleagues whether the Minister is telling the truth or not. They had it in their possession for a long time and could have examined it, but they could only see one erasure. On the second page on the right hand side there is an erasure but they could not see it.
You probably did that.
Had you any objection to the man's father being murdered?
You go and look at it.
We know nothing about it.