asked the Minister for Education when Fallons Short History of Ireland Book II, with Chapter 15 in its present form, was approved by him.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Approval of History Books.
14.
The Irish version of this text was accepted for inclusion in the list of books approved for use in national schools on 14th April, 1959 and the English one on 2nd April, 1960.
Does the Minister think it is proper that an Irish history, of which he or his predecessor has approved, should fail to include in its chapter of 1919-21 any mention of the fact that Michael Collins existed?
I am aware of the fact that it is a very brief and outline history. I have not read it myself but I am aware of the fact that it is a brief and very outline history dealing with that period in a few lines. I am also aware of the fact that in matters such as this, the Department of Education does not attempt to dictate to the authors concerned but merely, if some purely factual errors occur, to correct them and not to make any other interference with the text submitted by the author.
Does the Minister consider it is proper to his function to approve of a book for use in schools which contains an entirely perverted version of Irish history?
I do not know on what the Deputy bases that allegation.
Will the Minister read it himself and we will raise it again in another fortnight when he has read it?
If the Deputy wishes to do so, but I do not think he is entitled to make that allegation without some substantiation.
It mentions other people in relation to 1919-21. It does not make any mention of Collins, nor does it make any mention of other things which happened including decisions of the then Dáil.
The Deputy is aware that if one wants to write a history on that period, one can find ample material which one might think should be included. But if one is writing a very brief history of the period, a decision has to be made to exclude different things and different views may be taken as to what should or should not be included.
Surely the Minister is not taking the line that a history of that period should exclude Collins?
I am taking the line that some decision must be made by the author to exclude a large number of matters.
It was because Collins was excluded that you approved it. It was Deputy Hillery who approved it when he was Minister for Education.
The State does not write history.
I should like to stress the fact that other history books are approved which take a line of which Deputy Sweetman might approve, and no attempt is made by the Department of Education to interfere with them.