asked the Taoiseach if the Government were officially approached by the BBC with a view to having members of the Oireachtas participate in a television programme concerning Northern Ireland; and, if so, if he consulted with the Opposition leaders on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Northern Ireland Situation.
1.
The British Broadcasting Corporation requested the participation of a spokesman of the Government in the television programme concerned, and Mr. Michael O'Kennedy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education, was, accordingly, nominated. No request was made to the Government in regard to having other Members of the Oireachtas participate and, therefore, the question of consultation between the Leaders of the Parties opposite and me did not arise.
Could the Taoiseach say why some Minister was not sent to represent the country or someone who would make a better job of it, because even Deputy Neil Blaney made a much better job of it than the man the Taoiseach sent?
The job done by Deputy O'Kennedy was an excellent job.
I do not agree. He was not fit for the job. If the Taoiseach had sent the Tánaiste he would have done a much better job.
2.
asked the Taoiseach if the Government will consider sending Ministers on fact-giving talks to Britain and the United States to counter adverse British propaganda in relation to Northern Ireland.
While it would be clearly impracticable for members of the Government to engage themselves for prolonged periods abroad in the kind of promotional activities envisaged by the Deputy, it will continue to be the practice that Government spokesmen should avail themselves, as far as possible, of invitations to meet with representative groups and organisations abroad, particularly in the countries referred to.
Irish diplomatic representatives abroad are fully aware of the need to make the facts of the present Northern Ireland situation more widely known and understood and, through Press briefings and interviews and the dissemination of information material, are doing everything possible towards that end. In addition, visits by foreign journalists to Ireland are regularly sponsored and arrangements made to provide these, and other visiting journalists, with the information and assistance which they require. As I indicated to the House on the 14th December last, I recently decided that my Department should engage an international public relations organisation with a view to developing abroad a better understanding of Irish affairs particularly in the extended European Communities. While I am satisfied that the efforts already being undertaken to promote a wider knowledge and understanding of Irish affairs abroad are proving effective, it is my aim to have these efforts further developed and intensified as far as possible.
Will the Taoiseach agree that Ministers have gone abroad on less important matters?
They have gone abroad for specific purposes and, on those occasions, they have taken every opportunity they had to make the facts known about the Northern Ireland situation.
Does the Taoiseach think we are taking every opportunity at present to make the facts known about Northern Ireland?
We are.
Is the Taoiseach satisfied?
I should like to see more done but these things take time and money and we are limited in money.
Would the Taoiseach not agree that some of the most effective pieces of British propaganda would be statements made by the Labour spokesman on foreign affairs, Deputy Cruise-O'Brien, and these statements have been circulated in the United States by the British Foreign Office?
That is a separate question.