asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will consider as a matter of urgency the establishment of a national news agency.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National News Agency.
43.
The Government would view with favour the formation of a national news agency, provided it were to become clear that such an agency would have the requisite support from the Irish newspapers and media, as well as from the journalistic profession in Ireland. If there are indications that such support will be forthcoming, the Government will be prepared to co-operate with the Press and media towards the establishment of such an agency.
Does the Minister envisage consultations with the newspapers about the matter?
In reply to the Deputy's supplementary I would certainly be prepared to enter into such consultations but I think there would need to be some indication first that the newspapers and media are interested in this. For the supplementary information of the House I should say that news agencies in most countries comparable to our own rest fundamentally on the domestic Press of the country and that it is difficult, if not well-nigh impossible, for a news agency to function without such support. Therefore, I think before suggesting consultation to the newspapers I would need to have some indication that they would welcome it. If they do, I would certainly be glad to consult with them.
Since from the Minister's substantive reply it is clear that the Government view the establishment of a news agency as being of importance, would he say whether, if such an agency is not established what other steps the Government would contemplate to perform to some degree the operations which might be carried out by a news agency?
Certainly not Markpress.
It looks as though we will end up with nothing.
It should be borne in mind that whereas the existence of a national news agency firmly based on the Press and media of the country concerned is of national value and in the long term redounds to the credit of the country concerned, it should not be primarily envisaged as the best means of diffusing a case which the State wishes to present to the world, the point of view of the Government on various issues and so on. The best way of achieving those aims is undoubtedly through the reinforcement of the Press and information activities of the Irish foreign service and I believe my colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, has that under very active consideration at the moment.