asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether the statement by the Minister for Justice in the last paragraph of his reply to a question on 19th November, 1969, indicates any change in policy by the Government in relation to RTE as expressed by the then Taoiseach in the Dáil on 12th October, 1966.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Government Policy on RTE.
133.
The answer is "No".
The precise wording of the reply of the Minister for Justice was that the Government rejected the view that RTE should be either generally or in respect to current affairs programmes completely independent of Government supervision. Are we to accept that the turning by the Minister for Justice of a serious question into a diatribe is an example of the form in which the Government now intend to apply Government supervision to current affairs broadcasts?
I do not see how the question can arise. Should not this question more properly be addressed to the Minister for Justice?
I might illuminate the Minister there. The question to which I referred was not addressed to the Minister but to the Taoiseach because it referred to a question to his predecessor.
Does the Minister agree that the recent comments of the Minister for Justice in the Dáil, if they were well founded, cast serious reflections on RTE?
That question does not arise.
Will the Minister answer my question?
These questions do not arise.
If, as the Minister has stated, it is still the view of the Government that current affairs and news programmes should be subject to Government supervision, can he in-form us of the form this takes other than by written communication?
The Deputy is raising a question of Government policy.
I could not agree more.
The ruling of the Chair in regard to questions must be followed.
This question was addressed to the Taoiseach.
Mr. J. Lenehan
The Chair was not asleep.
The question was initially addressed to the Taoiseach. There is little danger of my falling asleep because I might have a nightmare and think the Irish people could elect Deputy Lenehan to an independent Parliament.
Mr. J. Lenehan
I was elected as an Independent which you did not succeed in doing.