§ Mr. KINGasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the proclamation of the Gaelic League as dangerous has led to protests, misunderstandings, and the hampering of voluntary recruiting in Ireland; and whether he will revise the Proclamation so as to relieve the Gaelic League from its inclusion with other organisations declared to be dangerous?
§ Mr. ARTHUR SAMUELSThe answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.
§ Mr. KINGasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that a committee of the Gaelic League in county Tipperary have been arrested and retained in custody because, when challenged by the police, they persisted in giving their names in the Irish language; and whether he will order their release, giving instructions that the Irish tongue may be used in public?
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§ Mr. SAMUELSThis question appears to refer to the arrest, at Drombane, on the 8th instant, of five men for refusing to give their names and addresses to the local police except in Irish, which the police did not understand. They were convicted by the local magistrate of the offence under the Defence of the Realm Regulations of refusing to answer reasonable questions put by a police constable, and were sentenced to one month's imprisonment, in default of giving bail for good behaviour. There is no prohibition of the use of the Irish language in public.