asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will again raise the question of the Casement Diaries with the British Government, including the ten in Scotland Yard and the three in the Public Records Offices, and ask that they be submitted to an impartial scientific test and that the findings be discussed at an open court by an impartial tribunal.
Ceisteann—Questions. Oral Answers. - Casement Diaries.
20.
It is not proposed to take action on the lines suggested by the Deputy in respect of the alleged diaries of Roger Casement. As Mr. de Valera, the then President of the Executive Council, stated in the Dáil on 17th February, 1937, in reply to a similar question:
"Roger Casement's reputation is safe in the affections of the Irish people, the only people whose opinions mattered to him."
Is the Minister for External Affairs telling the Dáil that he is now satisfied that all that can be done to clear Casement's name has been done and that he will allow people, other than the Irish people, to go along believing Casement was, in fact, a pervert?
There is no way in which the Government can stop this slander of the dead. I repeat that Roger Casement's reputation is safe in the affections of the Irish people and they were the people who mattered to him.
Does the Minister not agree that it is as important to those who respect Casement to have the diaries withdrawn as it was to have Casement's remains taken back to Ireland?
We brought Casement's remains back to show that the Irish people respected, loved and honoured him for the good work he did.
And the Minister does not want to annoy anybody by continuing to try to get the diaries withdrawn?
I do not think the Deputy is being helpful in his allegations.
I think the Minister is not being very helpful. He seems more interested in settling the troubles in other parts of the world than he is in things like this. I think it is his job to do this.
That is worthy of the Deputy.
What the Minister is doing is worthy of him.
Would Deputy Tully please allow Questions to continue?