asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether he has now investigated the statements made recently by a director of Bord Fáilte on the BBC television programme "24 Hours"; and, if so, if he will state his findings and what action he proposes to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Television Programme Statement.
8.
Mr. O'Donnell
I have investigated the statements and have discussed the matter with Mr. Ernie Evans, who gave the interview in his private capacity as a hotelier and dealt only with his own hotel.
The film shown on the programme in question represented 17 seconds out of a ten-minute interview which Mr. Evans gave to the BBC. In this edited excerpt Mr. Evans was heard explaining a particular personal situation which he had already had to deal with as a hotelier. It is no way represented the full views expressed by Mr. Evans on the occasion. I am aware of the details of the entire interview, which was a positive encouragement for Irish tourism and I am satisfied that Mr. Evans's comment was not detrimental to the general tourism situation.
Mr. O'Donnell
Surely the Minister will agree that the important consideration here is not the reaction in this country to what Mr. Evans said but the reaction in Britain. Has the Minister made any effort to ascertain whether or not there has been any adverse reaction in Britain, particularly among the British travel trade to Mr. Evans's performance on television?
No, not at all. There is the usual immediate reaction to excesses of the media which everybody gets, but no real reaction.
(Cavan): I assume that the Minister saw last night's “7 Days” programme. Will he not agree that it is bound to be damaging to the tourist business here for a man who is introduced as a member of Bord Fáilte—admittedly later on he announced that he was speaking in his personal capacity— to say that in certain circumstances people should not come here for their holidays? Does the Minister not agree that that must be extremely damaging to the tourist business here in prevailing circumstances, that he will be taken as a responsible person speaking as a member of a board set up to encourage tourism who says on that programme that certain people would be as well not to come? Will the Minister not agree that that must be damaging?
I am fully satisfied that the individual concerned is an outstanding member of Bord Fáilte and has taken a very progressive attitude in relation to the development of tourism in this country. If the BBC took the liberty of excerpting 17 seconds of what he said in a ten-minute interview, thereby projecting remarks entirely out of context, I am not responsible and he is not responsible.
Did he or did he not say that people should not come to this country, and particularly children?
No.
Did he or did he not say that they should not come here and if he did, would the Minister see to it that somebody corrects it?
Deputy O'Donnell and himself were on television here on "7 Days" last night.
I do not mind "7 Days".
(Cavan): Does the Minister not agree that in fact the previous disgraceful performance was repeated on “7 Days” last night and that anybody looking at the programme would believe that this man thought it his bounden duty to warn people with families or people who might not be docile that it would be dangerous for them to come here, that they might get involved in a fracas? Does he not admit that the picture painted—I did not see the previous programme—in the remedial programme last night added insult to injury and certainly was a warning that all was not quiet in Ireland, whereas in fact there is no justification for the statement that there is any danger for foreigners coming here? I would ask the Minister to see that this man is removed from the board forthwith.
In my view, this perpetration by the BBC in giving a totally slanted excerpt of 17 seconds out of ten minutes is an example to all of us of what is happening in various establishment areas where the British media predominate at the present time.
(Cavan): I am talking about the “7 Days” programme last night.
Mr. O'Donnell
Is the Minister aware that there has been an adverse reaction? The Minister may laugh at this but I will put the smile on the other side of his face, if he is not careful. Does he agree that he made a statement here in which he said it was vitally important to inform the British public that there was no danger to them in coming to Ireland? Did he not say that it was vitally important that we should assure the British people that they would be welcome here?
Yes.
Mr. O'Donnell
And that there was no danger to them in coming on holidays here? Surely the Minister must admit that taking into account the climate in Britain for Irish tourism, a statement such as that made by Mr. Evans last night must have had a bad effect and does he propose to take any disciplinary action? If he does not propose to remove him from office, does he propose to take any disciplinary action and will he warn Mr. Evans and the other directors of Bord Fáilte and any spokesmen for any other State company——
This is a very long supplementary.
Mr. O'Donnell
——that they would want to be extremely careful? Is he aware that a spokesman for CIE did the same thing in a radio interview on the BBC a fortnight ago? Is the Minister going to do anything about it?
I am calling Question No. 9. We cannot discuss this question all evening. We have an hour for Questions.
Would the Deputy formulate a question? I will answer a question but not a speech.
If the Minister does not intend to take disciplinary action against him, does he disagree with what he said?
I want a question.
I will give the Minister a question: will the Minister repudiate what he said and what was stated by another marketing officer on television last night, that British people or people with pro-Scottish views would be just as well off to stay at present from this country? Will he repudiate those views? Are all these people not welcome just as people with pro-Irish views can go over to work in England—and also what this other gentleman stated on "7 Days" last night?
I made my position fully clear this morning on the Supplementary Estimate debate, as Deputy O'Donnell has said, on the extra allocation for Bord Fáilte and I want to repeat now that as far as we are concerned in Ireland, everybody in Britain is welcome here and will get a 100-fold welcome as they always got. That has been and is our position. With regard to the particular statement in connection with Mr. Evans, the facts are, and everybody in the House is well aware of the serious situation that can arise on account of the media, that a 17 seconds excerpt was taken from a ten minute interview and the whole matter was totally out of context.
(Cavan): I want to say——
I am calling on the Minister for Social Welfare.
(Cavan): I want to convey a message to you, Sir. In view of the unsatisfactory reply, I will raise this matter on the Adjournment.