BAYONETS IN PARLIAMENT

Taranaki Daily News, 16 October 1931, Page 7

BAYONETS IN PARLIAMENT

IRISH PUBLIC SAFETY BILL

ALL DAIL MEMBERS GUARDED ( — SUPPRESSION OF VIOLENCE DIVISION ON INTRODUCTION By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Dublin, Oct. 15. Bayonets were flashing in the Free State Parliament House, armed police were squatting on the floor of the lobbies and a police cordon was around the Dail when the Public Safety Bill, giving extensive powers to the authorities for the suppression of violence, was introduced by President Cosgrave.

Members of the Dail arrived each attended by a couple of detectives with revolvers in their pockets and all visitors were examined for arms by a newly recruited plain clothes branch of the Civil Guards.

President Cosgrave declared that violence such as had been adopted was inexcusable, and advocates of political ideals must not speak with a gun in their hand. There was a widespread conspiracy to overthrow the State by people who were prepared to use murder. The Irish Republican army had allied itself to an organisation which was seeking to establish a Soviet State. Mr. De Valera opposed the measure, contending that the existing powers were adequate. The division resulted in the introduction of the Bill by 82 votes to 64.