Vol. 241 No. 13
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if any instructions have been given to the authorities at Dublin Airport to have press representatives debarred from pursuing their activities; the date on which such instructions were issued; and the reason for such action.
59.
andMr. Timmins asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware that recently newspaper photographers were prevented from taking pictures of demolition work now proceeding on a recently erected building at Dublin Airport; the reason for such action; and if he will make a statement in the matter.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 58 and 59 together.
No instructions in regard to press representatives have been given to Aer Rianta Teoranta who manage the airport on my behalf. On the contrary, as I pointed out in the House last week, press photographers are very welcome at the airport and special arrangements for facilitating them were communicated by the company to the press in June last. The company inform me that no press photographer has been refused facilities and, despite full inquiries, on my own personal instructions, they cannot trace the incident referred to by the Deputies. Any reasonable facility required by press radio or television will be made available on request by me or by Aer Rianta.
Does the Minister agree with a report in our national papers on Sunday last that certain representatives of the press were denied access to take photographs at a Dublin Airport building? Will the Minister also agree that in spite of his generous offer of bringing these people on a conducted tour——
That is still on.
——that is not what the press want? The press want freedom. They do not want to be brought on a conducted tour and shown what the Minister wants them to be shown. Will the Minister not agree that any duly appointed representative of our national newspapers is a person of responsibility, and will he ensure that in future any such duly appointed representative, on the production of his credentials, will be afforded every opportunity of carrying out his functions at Dublin Airport or any other public place?
I agree fully with the whole spirit of the Deputy's question. In my view, total access should be given to the photographers and reporters of the national newspapers and members of the other communications media to investigate any matter they feel requires investigation. I can assure the House that I have taken a very personal interest in this because it is completely at variance with what I believe. Since the Deputy's question was raised last week I have contacted the general manager of Aer Rianta and he assures me that so far as they are concerned they cannot track down that this refusal took place. I want to assure the Deputy and the House that any request made by a member of the communications media will be granted immediately.
Is there anything to hide?
There is nothing at all to hide.
Will the Minister give us an assurance that any duly appointed representative of the national press on production of his credentials will be accepted as a reasonable and responsible person and granted any facilities he may require?
I gave that assurance last week and I have given it again today.
Does the Minister agree that a photographer was denied facilities?
If it is said by a representative of the press that it did take place I accept his word, but as far as the Aer Rianta organisation is concerned they cannot track down that a refusal took place. What I am saying now is that it is wrong if it did happen and that so far as it is within the power of the general manager of Aer Rianta it will not happen again
