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Dáil Éireann - Volume 82 - 11 March, 1941 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Imports of Coal. Risteárd Ua Maolchatha Risteárd Ua Maolchatha Risteárd Ua Maolchatha asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state in what way any public interest is served by the withholding of information as to the total quantities and values of coal imported during the years 1939 and 1940. Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee 279 Mr. MacEntee: Shortly after the outbreak of war consideration had to be given to the question of what degree of restriction should, in the public interest, be placed on the publication of statistics. After the fullest consideration by all the Departments concerned, it was decided to restrict the publication of import and export statistics to the degree shown in the summary of imports and exports which [279] has been issued since that date. In time of war to publish, in respect of any commodities, details of either exports or imports might be expected to evoke queries as to why figures relating to other commodities were being withheld and there would be considerable difficulty in refraining from giving information which it would definitely not be in the public interest to publish. General Mulcahy General Mulcahy General Mulcahy: Does the Minister not realise that if there is to be public understanding of the position regarding coal, it is essential that more people than the Government should know how stocks were arriving, and where stocks were available? Does he not think that he would be spared a considerable amount of difficulty concerning the distribution and handling of supplies if there was more general information as to the amount of coal arriving monthly? Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee: I think that is another question. General Mulcahy General Mulcahy General Mulcahy: Is the Minister aware that he has not indicated in any way what particular public interest is served by withholding information as to the amount of coal coming here? Mr. Dillon Mr. Dillon Mr. Dillon: How does the Minister expect the public to understand a rise of about 15/- a ton in the price of coal in the last few months, when the general presumption, according to Ministerial statements, is that virtually no coal is arriving, so that it is largely coal that was here was affected? Why did it go up by 15/- a ton? An Ceann Comhairle Frank Fahy An Ceann Comhairle: That is a separate question. General Mulcahy General Mulcahy General Mulcahy: I asked the Minister to state in what way the public interest is served by withholding the information. Does he realise that it is impossible not to place the other implication on the position in the absence of information? Does he not understand that that creates a serious difficulty for the Government? The Taoiseach Eamon de Valera 280 [280] The Taoiseach: One difficulty is not got out of by getting into another. General Mulcahy General Mulcahy General Mulcahy: Would the Minister explain why it is necessary in the public interest to withhold statistics regarding coal? The Taoiseach Eamon de Valera The Taoiseach: It is quite obvious that in a time of war, and at a time like this, full details cannot be gone into without running a considerable amount of risk? General Mulcahy General Mulcahy General Mulcahy: What kind of risk? Is it the risk that the people would object to paying certain prices for coal? The Taoiseach Eamon de Valera The Taoiseach: In the national interest. Mr. Byrne Mr. Byrne Mr. Byrne: Why is it that the bellmen have to take slack instead of coal? An Ceann Comhairle Frank Fahy An Ceann Comhairle: That is a separate question. Dáil Éireann 82 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. Imports of Coal. Questions 19410311
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