Dáil Éireann - Volume 16 - 20 July, 1926

CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - SAORSTAT NATIONAL ANTHEM.

Mr. ESMONDE: On a point of order, I would like to point out that question No. 19 is not the question I sent to the Clerk of the House.

AN CEANN COMHAIRLE: If this is not the question the Deputy sent in, he need not ask this question.

Mr. ESMONDE: Under Standing Order No. 25, I understand no question can be altered by An Ceann Comhairle without previous consultation with the Deputy concerned. I sent in this question in order to get a definite assurance from the Head of the Executive as to what the National Anthem is. I find that it is put down to the Minister for Defence as if it were an Army matter, whereas it is a matter that affects everybody outside the Army. I think I should have been consulted.

AN CEANN COMHAIRLE: I can solve the problem. The President of the Executive Council is not responsible as a matter of fact or policy for an answer as to what is the National Anthem. The Minister for Defence can be asked a question regarding the [2197] tunes played by military bands. The question on the Paper is therefore to the Minister for Defence in regard to tunes played by military bands. If the Deputy desires to investigate any problem in regard to the National Anthem, he cannot ask a question of the President. The President cannot be asked to define what is the National Anthem. It is not part of his functions.

Mr. ESMONDE: Is there any authority on the matter?

AN CEANN COMHAIRLE: I am not able to say that, but I am quite clear that the President of the Executive Council is not in a position to answer a question on the matter.

Mr. ESMONDE: Then I desire to ask the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that at two recent State functions Army bands have played two different tunes purporting to be the National Anthem, and that the prevalent uncertainty in this matter is often a cause of confusion and irritation, particularly in connection with international sporting events; and whether he will state what is the National Anthem, or, if the matter is not finally settled, what tune should be provisionally accepted as such pending a final decision.

Mr. HUGHES: I am not aware that at recent State functions Army bands have played two different tunes purporting to be the National Anthem.

Mr. ESMONDE: Does the Minister refuse to answer the last part of my question? Does he refuse to state what is the National Anthem, or if the matter is not finally settled what tune should be provisionally accepted as such pending a final decision?

Mr. JOHNSON: Can the Minister give us any definition of what is a National Anthem?

Mr. ESMONDE: There is considerable hilarity in the House which I think is not creditable. I would ask the Minister if, in his own Department solely as regards the Army, seeing that the President is not here, for reasons for which we have all respect, he would [2198] state, at any rate as far as the Army is concerned, what is considered to be the National Anthem?

Mr. HUGHES: The “Soldier's Song.”