asked the Minister for External Affairs if, having regard to the damage done to this country's reputation by the unjustified and damaging criticism of Irish Hospitals Sweepstakes in the November issue of the American magazine, Fortune, he has taken steps to notify the true facts to the journal in question.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Criticism of Irish Hospitals Sweepstakes.
17.
As the Deputy is aware the Irish Hospitals Sweepstakes are promoted in accordance with arrangements submitted by the Associated Hospitals' Committee to the Minister for Justice and approved by him. Hospitals Trust (1940) Ltd. is a private company employed by the Associated Hospitals Committee to operate the sweepstakes and paid a management fee.
I have received no representations from these bodies and in any event I do not consider that this is a matter on which it would be appropriate for me to initiate any action.
I think the Taoiseach is aware that the Minister for Health and the Minister for External Affairs have done nothing in relation to this article, which is most damaging to Irish Hospitals Sweepstakes and, as a consequence, to Irish hospitals and the Irish medical service generally. Having regard to that, would the Department of External Affairs not see to it that this journal is put in possession of the facts? The article is false and has given a wrong impression.
This is not the first time an article appeared about Hospitals Trust (1940) Ltd. I understand that Hospitals Trust are not unduly concerned and I do not think action is called for by the Minister for External Affairs.
Our Embassies ought to do something.
How can they do anything with the Tánaiste we have?