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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Jul 1972

Vol. 262 No. 9

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - RTE Broadcasts.

188.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware that items (details supplied) of a nature that encouraged violence were broadcast by RTE on 2nd and 3rd July, 1972; if he has considered whether these items were in breach of the direction given by him to RTE last year; and, if so, the action he has taken in the matter.

I have reviewed the items to which the Deputy refers and I do not consider that either was in breach of the direction given by me on 1st October last under section 31 of the Broadcasting Authority Act, 1960. This being so, the last part of the question does not arise.

Would the Minister not agree that Radio Telefís Éireann are still acting contrary to the directive issued by him? Would he not agree that they are breaking the spirit of the directive and challenging the Minister's ruling where violence and the building up of illegal and subversive organisations are concerned? Further, will be not admit that this is done by slick operators in Radio Telefís Éireann, who are getting around the directive and openly bragging that they are doing so?

Might I suggest to the Minister that, far from their overdoing it, the complaint that really should be investigated is whether they are giving adequate coverage at all to what is going on in a particular area? Is this part of the directive? I hardly think it is. Would the Minister, when checking out the complaint made here, keep in mind that there is a great deal of evidence to show that, far from overdoing coverage, it is actually being underdone? Is this by the independent action of the so-called slick operators or is it as a result of the directive given?

In reply to Deputy L'Estrange, I am not satisfied that there has not been a breach of the directive given under section 31 on 1st October last. The Deputy alleges that, while the people in Radio Telefís Éireann are not contravening the directive, they are certainly not working within the spirit of the directive. I am, I think, on record in this House in the last couple of weeks as saying something to this effect myself. I believe this is so. In reply to Deputy Blaney, I should like to make it clear that the items mentioned are items the details of which were supplied to me when this question was given to me. One was in relation to a demonstration at the Curragh Camp and the other was in connection with a news bulletin coverage of an event in the Twenty-Six Counties.

Is the Minister aware that the 9.30 news on Radio Telefís Éireann on Sunday, 2nd July, was used as an advertising medium to build up subversive elements by advertising this particular demonstration? Is he further aware that, despite the fact that Mr. Ruairí Ó Brádaigh made a long speech in Monaghan, only that part of it dealing with the demonstration to be held on the following Sunday was mentioned by Radio Telefís Éireann? Does the Minister think it right that the authority should be used to advertise demonstrations of such a character? Is the Minister aware that on the 1.30 news Seán Duignan called the prisoners in the Curragh Camp Republican prisoners when it is known that some, at least, are criminals convicted of bank robberies? Mr. Michael O'Farrell was interviewed for ten minutes in order to build up and further advertise the demonstration at the Curragh on 9th July. People are asking who is Michael O'Farrell that he is entitled to ten minutes of Radio Telefís Éireann advertising people who, at a previous demonstration at the Curragh, arrived there with steel pointed umbrellas, petrol bombs and stones and attacked gardaí and military, the custodians of the peace and the protectors of the State. Does the Minister think——

This is a very long supplementary question.

Perhaps it is, but is the Acting Chairman aware that one of the statements made by this particular gentleman on Radio Telefís Éireann and broadcast to the people was that the violence came from the Garda? Does the Minister think that these people, who advocate bloodshed, intimidation and the wrecking of the democracy for which we stand, should be given this amount of time and this kind of coverage on Radio Telefís Éireann and is he further aware——

Acting Chairman

Sorry, Deputy, the question is far too long.

Michael Superstar!

I am aware of the news bulletin which went out on the night of 2nd July and, as far as I am concerned, it was not in contravention of the directive which I gave under section 31 of the Broadcasting Act.

Acting Chairman

I am calling Question No. 189.

The Minister has not finished.

I am further aware of the interview which took place the following day between the interviewers of Radio Telefís Éireann and Mr. Farrell. Again, I am satisfied that what happened on that particular date was not contravening the directive given.

Would the Minister agree that perhaps one of the good effects of showing these incidents at the Curragh would be to bring about a feeling of disgust among people that the institutions of the State, the Army and the Gardaí, should be subjected to the attacks of these people and that one of the effects might be encouragement for all to support the institutions of the State and give people a correct view of the activities of the elements referred to? In other words, far from being a drawback, the showing of the incidents could do good in letting the people know what is going on.

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