asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will arrange to give listeners to Radio Éireann broadcasts, both at home and abroad, opportunities for hearing more frequent broadcasts by Dublin bands; if he is aware that many British dance bands have secured personal engagements in Eire following broadcasts from the British Broadcasting Corporation system; and if he will direct that similar opportunities be given to Irish dance bands, so that their qualities may be appreciated by the British public and enable opportunities for personal engagements in Great Britain to be open to Irish musicians.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Broadcasts by Dublin Bands.
The question of broadcast engagements is one entirely for the Director of Broadcasting. The Director will consider any application made to him and will base his decision solely on considerations of merit and competence and suitability and programme interest. I have no information as to performances by British dance bands either in this country or elsewhere.
Is the Minister prepared to make a recommendation to the Director of Broadcasting that he should give Irish dance bands an opportunity of broadcasting to England, where they may eventually get engagements in England if the English people get the same opportunities to hear them as the Irish people get to hear English bands who come here and get good engagements? Surely that is only asking for employment for Irish musicians, our own native talent?
We are extremely anxious to improve to the utmost our ceilidhe bands in particular.
The studio is not owned by one special class in the country. These dance bands, who give good performances in Dublin and other parts of the country are entitled to their fair share.
The Deputy is not asking a question.
Is he aware that these dance bands pay the same taxation and buy the same goods as the ceilidhe bands? Why not give them fair play? That is all I ask for.
It is not my function to say anything derogatory of any dance band.
You have already said it. I am glad you are withdrawing it.