asked the Minister for Justice if he will state the number of prisoners sentenced since 1923 for political offences and at present detained in Portlaoighise, Mountjoy and Galway jails; whether these prisoners are treated as political prisoners and are allowed to communicate with friends, and if he will state whether parcels sent for the coming Christmas to the political prisoners detained in the prisons mentioned, will be delivered to the addressees.

I do not know what the Deputy means by political offences and therefore I am not in a position to state what number of prisoners satisfy his definition.

Surely the Minister understands what a political offence is. I am informed that there are several people undergoing sentence for commandeering cars, etc. This was always regarded as a political offence. Is what was recognised by England as a political offence when the Minister was fighting against England, not to be recognised as one now?

If the Deputy gets some assistance in the framing of his question before the Dáil meets again, he may be able to get an answer to it.

I intend to raise the matter on the adjournment this evening, as to the number of prisoners detained, and whether they will be allowed to communicate with friends outside and receive parcels at Christmas.