asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if it is intended to extend the hours of broadcasting of Radio na Gaeltachta; and, if so, when and for what hours.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Radio na Gaeltachta.
25.
The possibility of extending the regular hours of broadcasting of Radio na Gaeltachta later this year is under consideration by RTE at present.
Could the Minister give an indication of when it might be possible? He is aware, I think, that the hours of broadcasting, since the beginning, have only been from 7 p.m. to 9.15 p.m.
I am sorry, the Deputy is speaking in rather a low voice, and I cannot hear him. It is a pleasant change——
Could the Minister give some indication of when it might be possible to extend the hours of broadcasting? The hours at present are from 7 p.m. to 9.15 p.m. only. Some improvement could be brought about by having, perhaps, a short period in the morning and at lunchtime. Could the Minister give any indication of when this might be possible?
Unfortunately, I cannot here give a date. RTE are considering the possibility of extending regular hours of broadcasting later this year — I think in the second half of this year. There are various things that have to be identified before a decision is taken on extended hours. It will be necessary to identify the nature and transmission time of additional programming, the resources needed for this and RTE's capacity to finance the expenditure in the context of overall broadcasting requirements. All these matters are being looked into and I shall certainly keep the Deputy informed and shall be glad to do so.
An bhfuil an tAire sásta go bhfuil chuile dhuine sna ceantair sin in ann Radio na Gaeltachta a chloisint go sásúil?
Is ceist eile í sin.
Caithfear gléas radio VHF a sholáthar chun é chloisint i gceart. Nach bhfuil an sort sin gléis ag mórán daoine sa tír?
Is ceist fhada í sin.
Is ceist faoi leith í sin ar fad.
An bhfuil an tAire sásta leis faoi láthair?
Bhí an Teachta ró-leisciúil chun an cheist cheart a chur síos.
(Cur isteach.)
Ní éireoidh libh de dheascaibh an sort sin freagra, a Aire.
Os rud é go ndúirt an tAire go bhfuil rudaí áirithe le meas sar a socrófar uaireanta Radio na Gaeltachta a fhaidiú, an n-aontódh sé gur ceann de na rudaí ba chóir a meas sar a ndéanfar an faidiú——
Ceist ghairid le do thoil, a Theachta.
— ná a chinntiú gur féidir le muintir na Gaeltachta an radio a chloisteáil?
Aontaím.
Os rud é go n-aon-taíonn an tAire, cén fáth go ndúirt sé an rud amaideach úd adúirt sé leis an Teachta Molloy?
Dúirt mé gur cheist faoi leith a bhí ann.
(Cur isteach.)
Chuireamar na ceisteanna agus níl aon fhreagra ag an Aire.
Question No. 26.
(Interruptions.)
Did you call Question No. 26, a Cheann Comhairle?
Question No. 26, yes.
On a point of order, is it in order for Deputy Molloy to compare the Minister to Dr. Goebbels?
An appendage of that kind ought not to be made against any Minister. Members must be referred to as Deputies and officer holders must be referred to by the positions they hold, be it—Taoiseach, Tánaiste, or Parliamentary Secretary. The reference, if appended to the Minister——
(Interruptions.)
How did the Parliamentary Secretary know that the reference to Dr. Goebbels referred to the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs?
I can understand that the Deputies opposite have more respect for Dr. Goebbels than they have for me.
About the same.
(Interruptions.)
Is the Minister jealous?
I am not. I am highly honoured by the spectacle I saw today, of how much these gentlemen feel on the one particular subject.