asked the Minister for External Affairs if he is aware of attempts made by British authorities to conscript Irish migrants into the British armed forces; and, if so, if he will cause pamphlets to be distributed at all frontier ports and ports of embarkation to such migrants informing them of their rights as Republican citizens to resist such attempts at conscription.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Conscription of Irish Migrants.
The answer to the first part of the Deputy's question is in the negative and the second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.
As I have explained in replies to previous questions by a number of Deputies on this subject, no liability to be conscripted into the British armed forces exists in the case of Irish citizens who are not ordinarily resident in Britain for a period of over two years.
Persons who go to Britain for seasonal work such as, for instance, migratory workers whom, I take it, the Deputy has in mind, and who return to this country when this work is completed, are not, I am advised, classified as being ordinarily resident in Britain and are not, therefore, liable to be called up for service in the British armed forces.
If the Minister could not see his way to give emigrants the leaflet to which I refer, perhaps if the question and answer would get the publicity which it deserves it might serve its purpose.