asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether he is aware that a person who is engaged frequently to review books over Radio Éireann and also to broadcast a weekly parliamentary feature had an article published in an English weekly of 28th November, 1952, containing radical criticism of the work of the Censorship Board; and, if so, whether he has taken or proposes to take any action in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Article in English Publication.
As I have already indicated, the Comhairle and Director of Radio Éireann have been given the maximum freedom to conduct broadcasting free of day-to-day political administrative control, and I would again ask Deputies to address their observations on matters of this kind to the director rather than to me.
In this instance, however, I should like to say that the broadcaster of "The Week in Leinster House," who wrote the article to which the question refers, has never reviewed novels or any other books for Radio Éireann. He is not a member of the staff and is employed as an outside contributor on a week-to-week basis.
His broadcasts are thought satisfactory by the director, and I think they have given satisfaction to most Deputies.
Regardless of what the Minister says, this individual is an employee of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs, and does the Minister consider that (1) the criticism is true, that (2) it is fair and just criticism of the work of the Censorship Board, and that (3) such a person should hold the position he holds at the present time under Radio Éireann?
I have nothing to do with the Censorship Board. As I have already indicated, that person is not truthfully the person referred to by the Deputy and does not review novels.
Does the Deputy who put down the question imply that the subject of the question did something against the Constitution? Has not everybody a democratic right under the Constitution to express his views?
I have no opinion on that.
That did not apply to Myles na gCopaleen as far as I know.
Does the Minister agree that the criticism that I referred to in my previous supplementary is a fair and just criticism?
I have no idea what the views of Deputies in this House are in regard to the article. I am not even aware how many read it.
The Minister did not read it, and I think he would be well advised to do so.
The Deputy is a theologian now as well as being a critic.
If Deputy Flanagan wants to help the entry of filthy literature into this country he is quite free to do so.