asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state why there is no broadcast of the news in Irish on Sunday nights and if he will arrange to have this popular and important item included in future broadcasts on Sunday nights.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - News Broadcasts in Irish.
The question of the addition of an individual item to the broadcasting programmes is obviously one in which the Minister should not interfere with the independence and discretion of the comhairle and director. I suggest, therefore, that the Deputy should address an inquiry in the matter direct to the Director of Broadcasting.
Might I ask whether it is due to the fact that Radio Éireann is now infested with aliens that the Minister has been prevented from having the news broadcast in Irish on Sunday evenings?
Quite the contrary. In reply to the Deputy, the proportion of the programme in the Irish language is a matter reserved to the Government and it is a Government decision, as the Deputy would know if he read the first Estimate debate when Radio Éireann was reorganised. Every effort is made by the staff to improve the existing Irish programme and contacts are maintained at regular intervals with the Irish language societies.
Am I to take it that it is a Government decision not to give the news in Irish?
I said nothing of the kind. I said that the aim is to improve the existing programmes.
Is it not a fact that this Dáil never did give the Minister the power to throw Radio Éireann over to the comhairle entirely?
That is another question.
Is the Minister aware that Deputy Flanagan, at a public meeting held in the County Galway by-election, said he did not give two hoots whether the people were able to talk Irish or not?
What Deputy Flanagan said has nothing to do with the matter under discussion now.
Arising out of that observation of the Parliamentary Secretary's, are we to take it that it is normal and usual for a Parliamentary Secretary to address a question to a Minister or is this because of the split so clearly defined in the Government?
Mr. Lynch
It is normal to expect consistency in Deputies.
It is normal to expect a Parliamentary Secretary to have a little dignity and intelligence.