asked the Minister for Finance the cost of the closed circuit television system in Leinster House; and if it is considered satisfactory.
29.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Leinster House TV System.
28.
asked the Minister for Finance why the names of speakers are not shown on the closed circuit television screens in the House.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 29 together. The cost of the supply and installation of the closed circuit television system was about £4,000. The system is considered satisfactory.
As yet it is being operated only on an experimental basis and I understand that before arrangements are finalised representatives of the parties will be consulted.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary care to offer an opinion as to why it was decided to install these sets at a cost of £4,000 when the Government were not able to get 140 names printed which could be used on the sets? Everyone knows what business is on if he is in the House.
The position is that the amount allowed by the Government for the installation of the system was £5,000. I think we have done very well to get it installed for £4,000. The Deputy may have noticed that we have a bilingual system in operation today which was not in operation last week. The tests we are doing seem to indicate that the best method of projecting the programme would be white on black. This is a very slow form of printing. I should like to point out to the House that it is not my decision as to what eventually will appear on the television; that will be a matter for the parties to decide.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this type of closed circuit television is in operation in numberous parliaments? Nobody here is asking for a decision to be made. Is it not rather stupid to say that we have to wait and see how it works out before we decide whether to have black on white or white on black? I am not blaming the Parliamentary Secretary, he is doing his best.
That is not a detail for me. It is a detail to be decided by consultation among the parties.
Cad é an feabhas atá tagtha ar an gcóras seo?
Tá sé i bhfad níos fearr.
Toisc go bhfuil sé dhá-theangach, an ea?
(Interruptions.)