asked the Taoiseach whether the Government has given any consideration to the effect on opinion abroad of news reports of Northern events by British news media; and whether any course of action has been decided on.
3.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Northern Ireland Situation.
2.
asked the Taoiseach if, in view of the apparent acceptance by British news media of Army versions of Northern events, any consideration has been given to the establishment of a News Agency which would give a truthful account of Northern news.
4.
andMr. Begley asked the Taoiseach if, in order to acquaint the maximum number of people with the true position at present obtaining in Northern Ireland, he is prepared to consider the re-establishment of the Irish News Agency.
5.
asked the Taoiseach if he is satisfied that the efforts of the Government to counter massive British propaganda with regard to the Derry killings was effective; and if he will indicate whether or not Markpress advised on this matter.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 5 together.
I am well aware of the importance of British and world opinion in regard to events in the North of Ireland. Although we may at times find that the coverage or comment in foreign news media is less satisfactory than we would wish, I believe that in general there is a wide realisation abroad of the basic facts of the situation as well as the urgent need for changes in the North and the need to move to a political solution. In regard to the events in Derry, in particular, the reports available to me confirm that world press and public opinion has in general been strongly critical of the actions of the British Army.
The Government's information services here and abroad are very active in making the facts of the situation known. Their efforts are being supplemented by the public relations services of Markpress.
In view of the importance of an informed British public opinion which would, in turn, influence the Health Government and in view of the deliberately misleading reports which have been put out in particular in relation to the Derry incidents from British Army sources and which have been taken over uncritically by the British media, and also in view of the misleading British reports relayed in the United States which have an effect on public opinion there, would he agree it is important for the people of this part of the country to establish an agency which would put out, we would hope, a fair estimate of the events in Northern Ireland and thus help towards the political solution which is so necessary?
I do not think an agency is necessary for that purpose. I agree entirely and I admit candidly that we must improve the news service from this country and certainly improve knowledge of the facts rather than make propaganda. That is the purpose of what we are doing at the present time. I do not think we should go as far as establishing a specific press agency for that purpose at this stage.
As one formerly connected with an Irish news agency when we had one here, I should like to ask the Taoiseach whether he would consider consulting with representatives of the national newspapers of, I would hope, the entire island, at least those who would be prepared to join in such consultation, to consider the question of whether a national newsagency based on the press and other news media of this country could be established. I make the suggestion having regard to the fact that the weakness of the former Irish News Agency was that it was formed by the Government fiat alone and without consultation or without adequate consultation, I believe, with the newspapers. Would the Taoiseach consider at least consulting with the press and other media to see whether the time might now be ripe for some such an agency?
In the event of the establishment of such an agency I would certainly be in favour of seeking assistance and technical advice from the best possible sources, and I will admit the best sources would be in the established news media in this country. If that eventuality arises I certainly would consider that.
Would the Taoiseach agree that the events in Northern Ireland are being misrepresented by British Army sources?
I have seen evidence of gross misrepresentation of the situation in Derry as we know the events there.
Arising out of the Taoiseach's reply to Deputy Cruise-O'Brien's question, would he not agree that it would be useful for him to have consultations at this stage with the editors of the national newspapers on the general question of the dissemination outside the country of the truth about events here, without prejudice to any particular solution? Would he not agree that his reply tended to defer the issue a little until somebody came up with something, and that a general consultation might yield useful ideas from people who are perpetually involved?
Deputy Cruise-O'Brien's question, as I understood it, envisaged the establishment of a news agency, in the event of the estabilishment of which he counselled that we ought to consult the technicians in this country, if I may call them that. I have said already I did not think it was necessary to do that yet. I have not come to the conclusion that it is. I am sure that when the eventuality arises that we would consider the establishment of an agency, certainly I would consult——
Have the Government taken any steps to disseminate to people in Britain as widely as possible copies of the factual newspaper reports by journalists about Derry. I do not suggest the Government send any propaganda material, but I want to know whether anything has been done to bring together the reports of the British and foreign journalists of what actually happened, the eye-witness accounts, the excellent account in the Times of the following Tuesday which itself incorporated eye-witness accounts, and the remarkable reconstructions of events in the Sunday Press, the Sunday Independent and on RTE. Would the Taoiseach consider it would be desirable that these be brought together, simply as factual statements, with no propaganda attached to them, and disseminated as widely as possible to people in Britain who clearly have not understood the truth of what happened there and who may not discover the truth of what has happened there from the Widgery Tribunal?
That is a good suggestion and I shall have a look at it.