asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will make a full statement regarding the resignation of Mr. Eamonn Andrews from the post of Chairman of Radio Telefís Éireann.
22.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Resignation of Chairman of Radio Telefís Éireann.
21.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will make a statement on the resignation of the Chairman of Radio Telefís Éireann; if he will state the nature of the discussions, if any, held by him with the Chairman prior to his resignation; and if he will provide details of Telefís Éireann's plans for extended use of the Irish language.
23.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the reason for the resignation of Mr. Eamonn Andrews from the Chairmanship of Radio Telefís Éireann; and if he will make a statement thereon in order to allay public anxiety.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to deal with Questions Nos. 21, 22 and 23 together.
On 10th May, Mr. Eamonn Andrews informed the Taoiseach that because of internal differences he wished to relinquish his association with Radio Telefís Éireann at the end of that month—on termination of his current period of appointment as Chairman—and that he intended to advise the members of the Authority of his decision at their next meeting.
The Taoiseach pressed Mr. Andrews to reconsider his decision but Mr. Andrews was unwilling to do so, so that the Government had no option but to accept the decision regretfully, and to place on record as they did their appreciation of the high value of the service Mr. Andrews had given to the Authority, particularly during the initial and crucial stages of the development of the Irish television service.
A statement subsequently issued by Mr. Andrews made it clear that his decision to resign was due to a disagreement with other members of the Authority on some aspects of policy, especially on the use of Irish and the employment of non-nationals. These are matters within the competence of the Authority on which I do not propose to comment.
The Authority's policy in regard to the use of Irish is set out in a statement issued for the guidance of its staff in January, 1966. This statement was published by the newspapers at the time and copies are available in the Oireachtas Library.
Is the Minister aware that there are rumours to the effect that the outgoing Chairman was victimised in a personal way, not only for his views but for various expressions used?
I do not even know what the Deputy is coming at. I have no knowledge of any such thing happening. I had frequent contact with the outgoing Chairman and there was no conflict of opinion between us.
I was not suggesting there was.
The Deputy ought to expand on victimisation.
I feel that if he had any grievances in that respect, he would have made them known.
The city is full of rumours about the matter.
I want to make it clear he resigned of his own decision and without any pressure from the Government.
Would the Minister answer Question No. 22 and state what are the plans for the extended use of Irish? Is he satisfied that Telefís Éireann will remain commercially attractive when it goes over to the extended use of Irish and is he satisfied that an increased subsidy for Telefís Éireann will not be necessary arising out of its commercial unattractiveness?
I made it quite clear that the policy on that is set out in a booklet published last January which is to be had in the Library. It was unanimously accepted.
Is the Minister satisfied that Telefís Éireann will remain commercially viable?
Are you trying to make an election stunt out of it?
Is this to prepare us for a further dose of compulsory Irish?
I am satisfied that in spite of the opposition the Deputy has to the language, it will make the necessary progress.
It has not made much progress under Fianna Fáil in the last 20 years.
I wish you would make it clear that you are downright opposed to the language.
Are you opposed to it or for it?
I am for it.
You have done very little for it.
You say you are for it and at the same time, you do everything against it.
That is what happened with your Party.
We cannot have a discussion on the Irish language.