asked the Taoiseach how successful the efforts of the Government Information Bureau have been with the new specially appointed publicity officers in counteracting false impressions about the Republic of Ireland.
3.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Government Information Bureau.
2.
asked the Taoiseach if the special public relations team recruited into the Government Information Bureau has been officially wound up; and what this operation has cost the taxpayer.
4.
asked the Taoiseach when the public relations team recruited for the Government Information Bureau will be disbanded; the reasons they are being disbanded; and the cost of the operation to date.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 2, 3 and 4 together.
The staff concerned, having completed the work to which they were assigned, were released by the 15th November. I am satisfied that the Government Information Bureau, augmented by this additional staff, were extremely successful in providing accurate information on Irish affairs, with particular reference to the situation in the Six Counties. I am not yet in a position to estimate the cost of the special news service.
Would the Taoiseach agree that the only people whom it is important to convince about the case for the unity of Ireland are our fellow Irishmen in the North?
No.
Why is it important to convince other people?
Because every country has an influence, to some extent, on every other country's affairs.
Since the Taoiseach has said these people will not be coerced, it cannot make any difference if outsiders are convinced about the need for unity if they are not convinced.
I am not suggesting these are the first people we ought to convince, but I think the Deputy will agree that we cannot be indifferent to the rest of the world.
Would the Taoiseach not agree that there is a danger of such propaganda being counterproductive and a danger that the resentment and resistance against it in Northern Ireland among the people we are trying to convince could postpone rather than accelerate the process of ending Partition?
Yes, mishandled it could be counterproductive.