Vol. 191 No. 1
asked the Minister for External Affairs whether he will consider appointing a trained journalist, either from Ireland or from the country involved, to be attached to all Irish embassies and legations so that as much good publicity as possible about Ireland will appear in foreign newspapers and periodicals.
12.
asked the Minister for External Affairs whether he will consider appointing either a trained journalist or a trained public relations officer to the staff of his Department in order that the actions and aims of his Department will be presented more fully and in the best possible light to the public.
13.
asked the Minister for External Affairs if he is satisfied that the reports of the actions and speeches of the Irish delegation at the United Nations given by Irish newspapers are as complete as he thinks necessary; and, if not, if he will arrange better liaison between Irish newspapers and his Department.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions 11, 12 and 13 together.
I do not fell that it is in present circumstances either necessary or desirable to appoint a trained journalist or public relations officer to the staff of my Department or of our Missions abroad.
I am satisfied that on the whole reporting by the Irish newspapers of the actions and speeches of our delegation at the United Nations is good, particularly having regard to the difference in time between Dublin and New York, and I would like to record my thanks for the way in which the newspapers follow the activities of our delegation.
