Dáil Éireann - Volume 39 - 24 June, 1931

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wolfe Tone Commemoration—Cancellation of Trains.

Tomás O Maoláin Tomás O Maoláin

796

Tomás O Maoláin asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that considerable uneasiness exists in the minds of the people throughout the country as a consequence of his action in ordering the Great Southern Railways Company to cancel all trains scheduled to run to Bodenstown for [796] the Wolfe Tone Commemoration on Sunday, June 21st, and of the appearance in the streets on that day of a large body of troops with full war-kit; and if he will state the reasons for his action in so interfering with a ceremony of this nature.

Minister for Justice (Mr. Fitzgerald-Kenney) James Fitzgerald-Kenney

Minister for Justice (Mr. Fitzgerald-Kenney): The answer to the first part of the Deputy's question is in the negative. The reason for the interference with the ceremony was that a parade of an organisation purporting to be a military force not established and maintained by law was about to take place, and that the holding of such a parade is contrary to law.

Mr. Mullins Mr. Mullins

Mr. Mullins: In view of the importance of this issue and of the public issues involved, and of the uneasiness in the minds of the people, which the Minister doubts, and which I can assure him is very definite, and of the further fact that no such unwarranted interference has ever taken place since the Free State was established, I would ask, in view of the fact that a half hour would not be sufficient to discuss this matter, whether the President will give extra time to have it discussed?

An Ceann Comhairle Michael Hayes

An Ceann Comhairle: We will take that point at the end of Questions.

Dáil Éireann 39 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. Wolfe Tone Commemoration—Cancellation of Trains.

Questions

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