asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce why members of the international, national and local Press were banned from Galway docks on the occasion of the arrival of trawlers bearing the bodies of victims of the K.L.M. air disaster on August 15th, 1958; if he is aware that the ban caused widespread unfavourable publicity to this country, particularly in the Dutch Press; and if it is his intention to invoke similar measures in the event of any similar occurrences in the future, and, if not, why was it done in this particular instance.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Press Representatives at Galway Docks.
In order to ensure that the official accident investigators would not be impeded in their work, it was considered necessary to cordon off the transit shed at Galway into which the bodies of victims of the unfortunate accident were brought, as well as pieces of salvaged wreckage. I am not aware that the arrangements caused any justifiable unfavourable publicity; on the contrary, the Dutch aviation administration and the airline have expressed their appreciation of the arrangements made at Galway.
It is my sincere hope, as I am sure it would be of all members of the House, that there will not be a recurrence of such a disaster in the future; but should there be, the measures to be taken will depend entirely on the circumstances of the case.
Did the Minister suggest that the Press interfered with the inquiries?
I have not made that suggestion.
Yes, the Minister has, among all the other suggestions he made.