asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will indicate (1) the circumstances in which the commentator of the recent Gaelic Athletic Association National League Football Final at the Polo Grounds, New York, was appointed; (2) his qualifications and previous experience for such a post, and (3) the remuneration received by him therefor.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Appointment of Commentator.
The Gaelic Athletic Association requested Radio Éireann to broadcast the National League Hurling and Football Finals from New York. Radio Éireann offered to broadcast one of the matches and to pay the cost of telephone lines and equipment, estimated at £300, if the association would agree to pay the fee and travelling expenses of the commentator from Ireland as they did when the All-Ireland Football Final was broadcast from New York in 1947. The association was not prepared to do so and later suggested, as a solution, that Mr. Devine, who had been recommended to them as a highly competent public address commentator on Gaelic Athletic Association matches in New York by the New York Gaelic Athletic Association, should do the broadcast. Radio Éireann was not responsible for payment of the commentator's fee and I have no information, therefore, regarding the amount he received for the broadcast.