asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will consider admitting Press representatives to the meetings of the central and regional Agricultural Wages Board.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meetings of Agricultural Wages Board.
I am not prepared to take action with a view to the admission of representatives of the Press to meetings of the Agricultural Wages Board and the Agricultural Wages Area Committees.
Considering (a) that important decisions are very often arrived at at these meetings, (b) that the members of these committees are paid their expenses from State funds, and (c) that the Press is admitted to other important meetings, such as the Labour Court, does the Minister consider this "hush hush" policy in connection with the Agricultural Wages Board a correct one?
It is my opinion that those important decisions would not be arrived at so speedily if the Press were present.
I propose to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
I will consider it.