asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state the number of non-nationals employed in the Radio Éireann Symphony Orchestra on (a) the 30th June, 1951, and (b) the 28th February, 1952.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Radio Éireann Symphony Orchestra.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state the total cost of the Radio Éireann Symphony Orchestra for the half year ended (a) 30th June, 1951, and (b) 31st December, 1951.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state the number of hours of broadcasting time allocated to the Radio Éireann Symphony Orchestra for the periods (a) 1st January, 1951, to 30th June, 1951, and (b) 1st July to 31st December, 1951.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to reply to questions 42, 43 and 44 together.
(1) Broadcasting time allotted to performances by the Radio Éireann Symphony Orchestra during both of the periods mentioned in the question varied between two and a half and four hours weekly according to whether special performances were given in theatres or otherwise. There were generally two studio concerts with audiences weekly.
(2) The number of recently recruited non-nationals employed in the Radio Éireann Symphony Orchestra on 30th June, 1951, was 16 and the number on 28th February, 1952, was 18, the full strength being 61. This is not abnormal when compared with leading foreign symphony orchestras in countries with a longer history of concert development.
(3) The total cost of the Radio Éireann Symphony Orchestra for the half years ended 30th June and 31st December, 1951, was £20,000 and £21,400 respectively. A much larger sum could have been expended with advantage since the orchestra is this country's only professional symphony orchestra and has become, in fact, the Irish national orchestra, performing regularly in public in Dublin and throughout the country, and combining with other music organisations for the benefit of all classes and particularly of school children on whom the future of music so much depends.
While the standard of performance has improved partly as a result of the presence of the visiting players, improvement has also taken place in the standard of teaching as a number of the orchestra members are engaged in the teaching establishments and give instruction of high calibre not fully available here before. A good deal still remains to be done in this direction and the Departments concerned are collaborating to bring this about. As a result it may be possible in time to secure more nationals of adequate professional standard to fill vacancies in our orchestras as they occur. This, of course, depends on what can be done by the teaching organisations.
Has the Minister's attention been drawn to the fact that it was agreed that no further foreigners would be employed to the detriment of native musicians? Has he also considered that the time has now arrived when Radio Éireann and the taxpayers should not be taxed to keep up a symphony orchestra of which 80 per cent. of the people do not approve, and in which a small section only of the people are interested? Further, does he think he is justified in recommending to the Minister for Finance to put a half-crown increase on wireless licences to maintain a symphony orchestra to which the general body of the people do not listen.
Most of these matters are ones which could be more properly raised on the Estimate. I may inform the Deputy, however, that every effort is made to recruit Irish nationals for the orchestra. The selection board for that purpose includes Irish citizens of note and their recommendations have I think in the last three years, two of which were in the time of my predecessor, been unanimous.
I am sure that the Minister, now that his attention has been drawn to it, will see that no more foreigners will be employed in this country.