asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether he is aware of the general dissatisfaction with Radio Éireann on account of the abrupt cutting off of the end of the broadcast of the hurling match in Limerick on Sunday, 26th June; and whether he will ensure that there will not be a recurrence of such action in future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Broadcast of Hurling Match.
It is a matter for regret that the broadcast did not cover the end of the match but the blame for that does not rest with Radio Éireann. The transmitters were made available from 2.55 p.m. to 5.45 p.m., that is for nearly three hours, although the net playing time was only 90 minutes. The intervals were very long, and there had been so many stoppages that the announcer in charge at the studio had no means of knowing when exactly the match would finish. If she had known at 5.45 p.m. that the match would end within one and a half minutes the commentary would not have been faded out to make way for the programme which was scheduled to start at that time.
It is proposed to have a discussion with the G.A.A. authorities with a view to arranging that matches which are being broadcast will start punctually and will be run off expeditiously so as to ensure that listeners will have no reason for further complaints of this kind.