The strong emphasis on Orange and Protestant links to the unionist Goverment is a feature of politics in the 1930s,rather than the 1920s. It was influenced partly by the need for unionist unity and partly by the impact of Eire where de Valera and Fianna Fail came to power in 1932. Unfortunately,Craig allowed himself to be affected by these changes in the south.
In parliament in April 1934,he gave his often-quoted remark of 'a Protestant parliament'.
The full statement read: '' In the south,they boasted of a Catholic state. They still boast of southern Ireland being a Catholic state. All I boast of is that we are a Protestant parliament and a Protestant state.''
Craig was probably reacting to comments by de Valera and his deputy premier,Sean T O'Kelly.
At a Dublin election meeting in February 1932,de Valera said: 'The majority of the people of Ireland are Catholic and we believe in Catholic principles. ''And as the majority are Catholics,it is right and natural that the principles to be applied by us will be principles consistent with Catholicity.''
In October 1933,in Geneva, O'Kelly declared that ''the Free State Goverment was inspired in its every administrative action by Catholic principles and doctrine.''
B.T. Friday November 26 2010