asked the Taoiseach if he will state whether it is the general policy of the Government and of Ministers to make statements of national importance over the radio in the first instance, and, if so, if he will consider changing this policy and arranging for all such statements by Ministers to be made first of all in Dáil Eireann in order that Deputies may have an opportunity of discussing such matters.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Government Statements.
Statements of national importance are made by Ministers when and where, and by such means as, they judge to be appropriate and best in the public interest. It is quite wrong to assume, as the Deputy appears to do, that such statements ought necessarily be made in the first instance in Dáil Eireann.
It is clear that there are occasions when it is the duty of Ministers to make important statements with the least possible delay and to the largest possible audience. The procedure of the Dáil and the arrangements for its meetings do not lend themselves readily to the making of such statements without delay. Furthermore, there are occasions such as public gatherings and functions when it is proper and necessary that if Ministers are to speak at all they should feel themselves at liberty to address themselves to subjects of importance of a nature suitable to the particular occasion.
Again, as was indicated by the Minister for Industry and Commerce on a previous occasion in the Seanad, Ministers have a function other than that of leading the Oireachtas. They are concerned to see that the public are informed about matters that affect the interests of the public and to guide opinion so that the course of action which is deemed best in the national interest may be taken by members of the public.
Under the Constitution the Government is the executive body. It is at the same time responsible to the Dáil and collectively responsible for the Departments of State administered by its members. The actions of the Government or its policies wherever stated can always be brought to the attention of the Dáil. If the Dáil disapproves of any such action or policy there is an obvious remedy. I must, of course, assume that the Deputy is aware that when statements are made by Ministers of intentions which can only be carried into effect by legislation or by the expenditure of public moneys these matters must inevitably in due course come before the Dáil for full discussion.
I should like to ask the Taoiseach does he now lay down the proposition that where there are important new developments in matters of policy by the Government that they may be announced to the public on the radio over the head of Parliament? Does he declare it as a matter of policy that at his own sweet will he will ignore Parliament whenever it suits and use it when he wants to do so or is he prepared to agree?
Supplementary questions should be brief.
This is a matter of the gravest Constitutional importance. I am putting the alternative. Am I to take it that the Taoiseach agrees that ordinarily if an acute emergency exists requiring the utmost dispatch in communicating vital information that he will take it as his duty to communicate new policy or an important matter of policy to Dáil Eireann first and then, having taken that precaution, resume his and his Minister's complete liberty to address the people directly on the matter as he may think fit.
I put in full, in reply to the question, the principle which I think should govern action in these matters. Everything will depend on the particular case. On occasions I have asked special leave to come to the Dáil to make statements, because I thought it was the proper place to make them, but there are other occasions when I made statements elsewhere. I could not say in advance what particular type of statement should be made here or what particular type could be made elsewhere.
Does the Taoiseach not consider that Dáil Eireann would be the most representative Assembly for Ministers to make statements of national importance? Is he not aware that a statement, something like the recent one on tillage, should have been made in Dáil Eireann in order to give the elected representatives of the people an opportunity of discussing it?
If we take a particular case we can argue about it. It is not my view that the Dáil was the most appropriate place even if it were sitting when there was a statement about tillage to be made such as that statement was.
I think this matter arose as a result of a question I asked last week when I referred the Taoiseach to a statement by the Minister for Industry and Commerce over the radio about our food supplies. When I asked about our food supply and the radio announcement I was referred to the Taoiseach. What opportunity have we of getting reliable statements if there is no White Paper available? How can we as Dáil representatives get sufficient information from the Government as to food supplies being right?
I might answer the Deputy by saying, by means of asking a question. He could have asked a specific question: was such-and-such stated by the Minister, etc.
And he would be told to see the Irish Press.
Hear, hear.
He would not have been told anything of the kind.
He could not get better advice.
The people were consulted.
Exactly. That is the Fianna Fáil idea.
It is the best way to get in touch with the people— through the radio.
There is no licensed interrupter at Question Time.
Hear, hear.
Or at any other time.
May I reply to the Deputy's statement by saying it is not true that he would have been referred outside. If he had asked a question he would have been given a reply to his question.
In view of the fact that the Taoiseach has not made a statement on the food situation to the House, may we take it that the situation is not as serious as would warrant the Taoiseach making a statement to the House?
It does not arise on this question. Question No. 2.