asked the Taoiseach if he will state the date on which the Director of Radio Éireann first exercised his discretion to publicise statements made at a political meeting.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Radio Eireann: Statements at Political Meetings.
I have been informed that it is the practice of Radio Éireann to preserve the scripts of its news bulletins for one year only and that no records are now available for any date earlier than the 1st October, 1956. The first occasion of the kind referred to in the Deputy's question that arose since that date was the broadcasting, on the 5th October, 1956, of a report of a statement made by the then Taoiseach at a meeting of representatives of the political parties that supported the last Government.
May I inquire whether the memory of everybody in Radio Éireann has also conveniently become a blank and did the same question not arise with Deputy Lemass in February, 1948?
I shall look it up.
My memory is better than the Minister's.
Is the Deputy suggesting that the members of the Radio Éireann staff are conspiring against him?
I am suggesting that the House has been answered in a trick way dealing with records only and that it was an easy inquiry which it was not convenient to answer.
That is not so. The information was asked for and that was the reply given.
Will the Taoiseach answer the question?