asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether he is aware that in the news on Radio Eireann at 10.10 p.m. on Thursday, November 13th, reports of the proceedings of Dáil Eireann consisted exclusively of Ministerial statements with no reference whatever to any representations made by members of the Opposition Parties; and whether he will take steps to ensure that in future reports broadcast on Radio Eireann will be more objective and representative.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Broadcast of Dáil Reports.
The Deputy is under a misapprehension in this matter. In the late news bulletin on the evening in question approximately six minutes' time was devoted to the debate on Agriculture, of which a statement by the Minister, including replies to points raised by Deputies Dillon and Hughes, occupied four minutes, and criticism by these Deputies of the Minister's policy in regard to the marketing of barley and oats and prices of seed wheat, the remaining two minutes. The bulletin also included a very brief summary, taking one and a half minutes to read, of the statement by the Minister for Supplies on the subsidy for flour and wheaten meal.
Is the Minister aware that Radio Eireann has at its disposal one of the best précis writers outside the office of the London Times, but despite the fact that the services of such a person are available—I make the inference that he is there from the excellent reports with which we are occasionally provided—the impression created in the minds of the public is that reports of Dáil Eireann proceedings consist almost exclusively of Ministerial statements which are given virtually verbatim? That is certainly not adequate or desirable reporting of the proceedings of this Parliament. I should like to know from the Minister whether he has heard representations of that kind from any other source.
Mr. Boland
I prefer to refer to the question which the Deputy put down. I cannot answer a general question because I am not responsible for the Post Office now. I have here the broadcast report of Deputy Dillon's remarks and it occupies almost a page. There is also a report of the remarks of Deputy Hughes. Between the two of them they got two minutes, whilst the Minister got four minutes. I think the broadcast report was very well done in this particular case. I cannot answer for other cases, but I think that in general this report would be representative of all reports.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, is it not a fact that Deputy Corry got nothing that evening?