asked the Minister for External Affairs whether he is aware that many young Irishmen, residing in England, have recently been notified that they must either join the British Army or leave the country; and, if so, if he will indicate whether citizens of Ireland are not protected against compulsory service in the Army of another country; and, if not, if he will take steps to safeguard their rights.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irishmen and British Army.
No liability to be conscripted into the British armed forces exists in the case of Irish citizens who do not ordinarily reside in Britain for permanent purposes for periods over two years. Even in the case of Irish citizens ordinarily resident in Great Britain for more than two years they do not incur liability for conscription if they are resident there for a course of education or some other temporary purpose.
Following representations made by the Irish Government, the position has been, since 1940, that no Irish citizen, even if called up for service in Britain, will, in fact, be conscripted if he chooses to return home.
Do I take it that an Irish citizen such as a migratory worker or a worker of that kind need not leave the country when he gets a demand either to join the forces or leave the country? In other words, can the British Government compel him to leave Great Britain if he does not join the forces?
I think if the Deputy reads the answer he will get all the information he requires.
The Minister did not answer the point I raised in the supplementary question in his reply to the original question. Can the British Government compel an Irish migratory worker to leave the country if he does not join the forces?
That is a separate question. The question is whether an Irish citizen must join the Army or leave the country.
That is the question I am putting.
The Deputy is putting it another way.
I think the Deputy had better read the answer. The question is already answered.