asked the Minister for Justice if he will state the reasons for the arrest and internment of Michael Davern.

I must not be expected to make public all the information in my possession about persons who have been detained under Section 4 of the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act, 1940, for it would not be in the public interest to do so, but I can say that the person concerned was interned because I was of opinion, on information supplied to me by the Garda Síochána, that he was engaged in activities prejudicial to the State.

In connection with the statement signed by this young man and statements presented to other internees, would the Minister consider making the following addendum: "I hereby swear that the above oath is not an empty formula"?