asked the Minister for Justice if representations were made by him, directly or indirectly, to the Director General of RTE concerning the format of the radio news programme of Sunday, 20th June, 1971; and, if so, the content of such representations.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Radio News Programme.
115.
I would refer the Deputy to the reply given by the Taoiseach to Question No. 4 today.
May I ask the Minister if an invitation was extended to him by the RTE news staff to participate in this particular programme?
There was.
Did he not only refuse to appear on the programme, as is his privilege, but also contacted the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs and the Taoiseach to make efforts to ensure that the programme would not be transmitted?
That is a separate question.
So it would seem, Sir. The Taoiseach has already informed the House today that I was in touch with him about the matter after I had received this invitation and had been informed of who was going to appear on the programme.
Does the Minister consider it in the public interest and in view of the fact that he did take such action, would he explain to the House, to the country and to RTE why he made such representations and the content——
This is enlarging the scope of the question.
I made no representations whatever myself. I contacted the Taoiseach and the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs and I made no apology for objecting to the fact that members of illegal organisations are allowed long periods on the national radio to put their point of view across.
Hear, hear.
I did ask the Minister if there were representations made by him directly or indirectly to the director general of RTE. Were there representations made by the Minister to the director general of RTE?
No, there were not.
Would the Minister explain to the House the content of his representations?
Question time is not explanation time.
Conversations which take place between the Taoiseach and myself and the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs and myself are our own business.
May I ask the Minister whether he considers that the programme in question, which he presumably listened to, was a contribution by a responsible RTE journalist, Mr. Liam Hourigan, whose objectivity and——
The Chair cannot allow a question like this.
But the Minister has called this into discussion and I am entitled to put a question to him, with respect.
Supplementary questions are only allowed to elucidate further information. Further questions are not in order.
Does the Minister consider the programme a serious contribution towards explaining——
The Deputy will have to put this question again.
Would the Minister and the Government not think that the time has come to stop State bodies building up and glorifying members of this organisation.
That is a separate question. The Deputy may not ask the Minister to express opinions.
The Taoiseach expressed through the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs what the Government's view on this matter is.
It is a pity they did not stop it. Many of us think they should have.
In view of the fact that I am raising the subject matter of another question on the Adjournment I shall not press the Minister.
The Deputy will get another opportunity of raising it. It is past the time.